Astronomer Jay Reynolds explains what a solar eclipse is and how to watch them in a safe way - and no you don't have to have those funky glasses to get a good glimpse!
Class Discussion Questions:
1) Compare and contrast lunar and solar eclipses using a Venn diagram.
2) Using a box, create your own eclipse viewer.
Read the Script:
Were you guys ready for the eclipse this summer? Before I headed outside to watch myself, I checked in with Astronomer Jay Reynolds to find out what all the fuss was. I started by asking him what exactly is an eclipse?
REYNOLDS: Well, very simple, the Moon goes around the Earth, and every so often the Moon moves into a position to block the sunlight. But, we have to be in the right position in order to see this shadow of the Moon on the surface of the Earth here.
MARGARET: And so, how often does a solar eclipse happen?
REYNOLDS: It depends, basically every year we have two solar eclipses and two lunar eclipses somewhere on the Earth. Usually not here.
MARGARET: So, a solar eclipse is when the sun gets blocked?
REYNOLDS: Exactly, and a lunar eclipse is when the moon gets blocked.
MARGARET: Okay, and so this one that happened this summer was really big.
REYNOLDS: Big time, big time, because it covered the entire North American continent. It went from Oregon to about South Carolina. The line of totality, total blockage of the sun. But, if you were in Mexico or North America, you were still able to participate in some aspect of it. Right here in Northeastern Ohio, we were able to see 80% of the sun covered.
MARGARET: Okay, when is the next big one gonna come?
REYNOLDS: Yeah, we don't have to wait too long. The biggie is in 2024, it happens right here in 2024, right here!
MARGARET: So we'll be in the perfect blackout zone?
REYNOLDS: We will, we will.
MARGARET: And so when it comes around again, what's the best way for me to watch it?
REYNOLDS: Well, leave the sunglasses at home. Don't use sunglasses. What you wanna use is devices that are solar approved.
MARGARET: So, they'll block out the damaging sun rays?
REYNOLDS: Exactly, and sunlight is okay, it's the ultraviolet light. When you wear sunglasses, things like that, and use non-approved solar gear, you can damage your eyes and you won't even know it, you won't feel the heat. And, the next day you could have very severe, sometimes blindness.
MARGARET: So what if I don't have a chance to go out and get some glasses like this?
REYNOLDS: It's understandable, sure. What you can use is simple household things. For instance, like this right here.
MARGARET: A colander?
REYNOLDS: A colander, right. It's not just for the kitchen anymore. You pick up the colander, and you see all the little...
MARGARET: Show me how you would use that.
REYNOLDS: Okay, well all you do is, here's the bottom of the colander, and aim this towards the sun, and maybe have a piece of paper back here.
MARGARET: Oh, perfect.
REYNOLDS: Yeah, and suddenly you'll see lots of little suns right there. Lot's of little eclipses.
MARGARET: Lot's of little eclipses.
REYNOLDS Yeah.
MARGARET: So, you can tell when it gets dark when the colander goes dark?
REYNOLDS: Right, don't wear it as a hat.
MARGARET: It's not that way?
REYNOLDS: No, not at all, it's just projected.
MARGARET: And you said that I could do the same thing with a box?
REYNOLDS: Yeah, a shoebox or a small narrow box like this, absolutely. All you do is take the box, and put a piece of paper in the bottom of the box, and then punch a little hole, circular hole here as clean as possible. Sometimes aluminum foil works better. But, this one works well. You hold it over your shoulder, like we're seeing right here. Aim this end towards the sun, and you'll see your eclipse.
MARGARET: Your eclipse happening right on that white paper?
REYNOLDS: Right on that, yeah. And it works, it works, you could even watch clouds go by. It's very cool.
MARGARET: Awesome, well thanks so much for sharing a little bit with us.
REYNOLDS: We're so glad.
MARGARET: Can't wait for 2024.
REYNOLDS: Me too, thanks.
Instructional Links
Videos & Images: NASA Scientific Visualization Studio, Eclipse | Info & live videos & animations of various eclipses.
Online Reference Book: Occupational Outlook Handbook, Physicists and Astronomers
Video: PBS LearningMedia, DragonFlyTV, Scientist Profile: Galactic Astronomer