Quantcast
  Sunday - October 6th, 2024
×

What can we help you find?

ONERVA Zen Blanket
Open Menu

Boulder’s Safe View Of The Solar Eclipse: Avoiding Eye Damage!

Boulder will see a partial eclipse of the sun today! 10/02/2024 will show Boulder 65% of totality. It is still mandatory to view it safely.  While it will only reach 65% totality locally, it still is a spectacle not to be missed. What can be more motivating than watching the sun shining on the earth, with the moon in the middle, causing a shadow in the sunlight before it reaches earth. Admission is free, and all seats are great! Here’s the layout of the moon, earth, and sun during a solar eclipse. The Sun on the left cannot fully light the sunny side of the Earth, Since The Moon is between Earth and Sun, blocking the Sunlight

The solar eclipse in Boulder, Colorado will start at about 11:30 AM PM, and end at about 1:30 PM, lasting over 2 hours! ​”

Viewing a solar eclipse safely is crucial, regardless of the phase of the eclipse. Even when 65% of the Sun is covered (as in Boulder, Colorado, Wednesday today), looking directly at the sun without proper protection can cause serious eye damage. Here are safe ways to view the solar eclipse:

1. Eclipse Glasses: Use ISO 12312-2 compliant eclipse glasses that reduce the Sun’s brightness to a safe and comfortable level and block harmful ultraviolet and infrared radiation. Regular sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun.

2. Pinhole Projector: You can easily make a pinhole projector with two pieces of cardstock or paper. Make a small hole in one piece of paper and let the sunlight pass through that hole onto the second piece of paper, which works as a screen. This method allows you to view a projected image of the sun without looking directly at it.

3. Telescope or Binoculars Projection: Similar to the pinhole projector, you can use binoculars or a telescope to project an image of the sun onto a white card. Do not look through the binoculars or telescope when pointed at the sun, as this can cause instant and severe eye damage.

A TRULY Modern Advanced Eclipse Viewer Probably from Sharper Image

4. Solar Filters: If you have a telescope, you can attach a special solar filter to the front of the telescope or binoculars. This must be specifically designed for solar observation.

Telescope With Dedicated Specialized Multi-Layer Mylar Sun Filter

It’s important to note that at any phase of a partial eclipse (and a 65% partial eclipse is significant), you must use proper solar viewing or projection techniques to protect your eyes. Only during the brief phase of totality in a total solar eclipse (which won’t occur in Boulder for this event) is it safe to look directly at the sun without protection, and even then, caution is advised during the partial phases before and after totality.

Lenny Lensworth Frieling

Shared Knowledge Is Power!

Boulder Colorado Air Quality

A Day on Boulder Creek

Featured Boulder Song

Community Partners