GJH teacher shares upcoming eclipse advice

Mar. 27—GOSHEN — Scientific history is set to be made April 8 here in Goshen and across the Hoosier state.

On that day, NASA expects a total solar eclipse to pass over Mexico, the United States and Canada, as reported by The Associated Press.

"A solar eclipse is when the moon blocks the light from the sun," said Goshen Junior High School science teacher Joe Vance. "There can be either a partial (meaning only part of the light is blocked) or a total eclipse (when the light is completely blocked by the sun). A total eclipse can only happen during a new moon (which is when there is no moon in the night sky which happens when the moon is between the sun and the Earth).

"The entire Earth will only get one or two total eclipses per year. Most of these eclipses will happen in the middle of the ocean or some other remote area where not too many people live."

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The Elkhart County Health Department provided these safety tips for viewing the April 8 eclipse:

1. Protect Your Eyes: Never look directly at the sun during an eclipse without proper eye protection. Staring at the sun, even during an eclipse, can cause permanent eye damage or blindness. Use certified solar viewing glasses or handheld solar viewers to observe the eclipse safely.

2. Watch Out for Traffic: During an eclipse, the sudden change in lighting conditions can catch drivers off guard. If you're driving during the eclipse, watch for pedestrians or other vehicles that may be distracted by the phenomenon.

3. Stay Hydrated: If you plan to spend time outdoors watching the eclipse, especially in warmer climates, stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight to prevent heat-related illnesses.

4. Protect Your Skin: Even during an eclipse, UV radiation from the sun can still reach your skin, leading to sunburn and skin damage. Apply sunscreen with a high SPF rating, wear protective clothing, and seek shade whenever possible.

5. Keep Pets Indoors: Just like humans, pets can also suffer from eye damage if they look directly at the sun during an eclipse. Keep your furry friends indoors or provide a safe, shaded area if they need to be outside.

6. Avoid Risky Behaviors: While capturing the eclipse with your smartphone or camera is tempting, never risk your safety to take a photo. If you want to photograph the eclipse, use a solar filter or lens to protect your device and your eyes.

7. Stay Informed: Keep yourself updated with the latest weather forecasts and eclipse viewing guidelines from reputable sources. Pay attention to any local advisories or warnings regarding the eclipse and adjust your plans accordingly.

The total solar eclipse on April 8 is part of a repeating pattern of eclipses that last visited North America in 1970, and NASA predicts the next time a total solar eclipse will be visible from the contiguous United States won't be until 2044.

"First, the last time any part of our state had a total solar eclipse was in 1869," Vance said. "This is really a once-in-a-lifetime experience for people who live in our state."

Another reason this eclipse is significant is the number of people who live within the path of totality — so many big cities will either be directly in the pathway or close to it.

"Adding to that is the fact that we are as close to the moon as we can be," Vance said. "This will make the shadow larger and keep the sun blocked for longer. And if that was not enough reasons why this eclipse will be special, you can add in the fact that the sun is also at a maximum — meaning that it is shooting all kinds of flares off into space.

"When the moon completely blocks the sun, we can see the corona of the sun," Vance said. "This can only happen in the path of totality, worth driving the couple of hours to see."

Vance emphasized that viewing an eclipse is not without risk.

"Staring at the sun for any length of time can lead to damage done to the eyes," he said. "Normally, the sun is so bright that we instantly look away and avoid the damage, not to mention there is not anything interesting going on and so therefore we do not pay any attention to it. That changes with an eclipse."

Vance said that there is less light and so therefore people do not experience the immediate pain, are extremely curious, and so some might be tempted to stare longer than they normally would at the sun.

"But even with it being partially covered, the sun can do immense damage to the eye," he stressed. "As to how many have I seen, I helped lead the activities in 2017 at Goshen Junior High School so that way the students could enjoy the eclipse."

Flash forward to this year's eclipse, where GCS students will again receive a special pair of glasses to see the eclipse, as they did seven years ago, Vance added.

"You can buy them online, but I would caution that you need to make sure that they are certified to be safe. I have heard that some stores are carrying them. But there are many ways to safely view the eclipse. First, you can make a pinhole viewer out of a cereal box (https://scoutlife.org/hobbies-projects/projects/181205/how-to-make-a-solar-eclipse-viewer-with-a-cereal-box/).

"You can always look to the shadows," he said. "The shadows will dance in completely new ways as the sun becomes more and more hidden. You can take out a colander and watch the sun hide behind the moon. One cool photo op is that you can cut out the shape of Indiana and then punch a hole where Goshen is located in the state. You will be able to see the sun hide inside that hole."

Steve Wilson is news editor for The Goshen News. You can reach him at steve.wilson@goshennews.com.