You’ve probably heard that an exciting astrological event is about to happen. A total Solar Eclipse will occur Today, Monday, April 8th, and most parts of the United States will be able to see a partial view, if not the full eclipse.
First, “, what is a total solar eclipse exactly? It’s a celestial spectacle where the moon aligns perfectly with the sun, casting a shadow on Earth. Such a total solar eclipse, like the one gracing our skies next week, is a rare occurrence. In fact, it will be the last one visible in the United States for over 20 years.
While San Francisco isn’t on the direct path of the eclipse, you will still be able to see a partial view. Beginning at 10:15 am, people in the San Francisco will be able to see the beginning of the eclipse (weather permitting). The eclipse will reach its peak at 11:13 am in San Francisco, and the total phase of the eclipse will only last a few minutes. Check out this map, which does the path of the eclipse to learn how much you’ll be able to see from your location. San Francisco proper will see 34% of the eclipse.
Remember, it’s not safe to look directly at the eclipse with your bare eyes. NASA also warns that looking through a telescope binoculars or camera lens without special protective lenses could lead to severe eye damage. Since SF isn’t in the path of the total eclipse, you want to protect your eyes if you look at the eclipse. NASA recommends getting solar Eclipse viewing glasses for the occasion to avoid eye damage.
You can view the solar eclipse at the California Academy of Sciences on their living roof garden. You can buy solar eclipse glasses at the Academy for only $3; the roof will also have telescopes with lenses that make it safe to view the eclipse. Before the eclipse, you can attend a presentation about eclipses and the cosmos at the Academy.
If you want to view the eclipse on your own, make sure you wear the correct protective eyewear and go anywhere you can see the sun directly. Unfortunately, you need clear skies to see the eclipse, so keep an eye on the weather.