It’s time to mark the calendars because there is another solar eclipse to come. These cool events are always fun to share with the kids, and if that’s something you’re into, here’s everything you need to know about October’s eclipse, including how to watch it and what’s to come next.
According Space.com, we get another solar eclipse, after the stun we had in April. This time you’ll want to mark the calendars for October 25 and have a few things ready to watch a partial solar eclipse with the kids.
What is a partial solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse is quite easy to understand and even easier to explain to young children. In the most basic sense, a solar eclipse occurs when the moon is between Earth and the Sun. When this happens, the Moon blocks what we can see of the Sun here on Earth.
NASA has a very good educational video that goes over what is a solar eclipsewhich is worth the detour.
The solar eclipse will make it look like part of the sun has disappeared for a little while, even if someone has taken a bite out of it! This is not the case, however; we only see a shadow. During a partial solar eclipse, like what we’ll see on October 25, the full Sun isn’t in shadow, but it’s still special to see.
How to safely observe the partial solar eclipse?
It is important to note that if you are lucky enough to be in person to attempt to view the partial solar eclipse, you should ensure that you have the proper safety equipment to do so. It is never safe to look directly at a solar eclipse, which can damage your eyes, leading to blindness and eye damage.
- Do not look directly at the Sun
- Do not use homemade filters, regular sunglasses, or even very dark sunglasses to look directly at the sun
- Only use special sun filters (eclipse glasses reviewed by Space.com can be found here, portable solar viewers reviewed by the American Astronomical Society can be found here) to watch the eclipse
- Never look through a camera, binoculars, telescope or any other tool to view the solar eclipse and do not use them with solar filters. It can cause serious eye injury and concentrate the power of the sun’s rays
- Do not use special sunscreen if scratched or damaged
- Use DIY methods to indirectly view the eclipse, such as pinhole projection, where you can poke a pinhole in cardboard, grab a wide-hole colander or even a Ritz cookie, and look at the shadow that the eclipse projects through the holes on the ground
Overall, don’t look directly at the Sun unless you have the specific equipment to do so, and make sure your kids don’t either. If you’re watching the solar eclipse on TV, you don’t need any special equipment.
For more information on how to safely view solar eclipses, visit PreventBlindness.org Where the American Astronomical Society. NASA Godard also has a large educational video on how to safely watch solar eclipses. And NPR has a helpful video that walks you through all of the DIY and shopping options for making solar viewing eclipses with safety a priority.
Getting ready to see the solar eclipse if you’re about to see it in person can be a great educational activity for you and the kids. it can be DIY and a safety lesson all rolled into one.
When, where and how can I see the solar eclipse?
By Espace.comfor parents and children who want to see the solar eclipse in person, it will be visible from parts of Europe, western Asia and northeast Africa.
“The partial solar eclipse will begin at 4:58 a.m. EDT (0858 GMT) on October 25 when the moon passes in front of the sun and will end around 9:01 a.m. EDT (1301 GMT)”, Espace.com adds.
If you don’t live in these areas, there are ways to stream the eclipse live from the comfort of your own home, thanks to the Virtual Telescope Project 2.0. The eclipse will be captured from Rome, Italy and will give those of us in the US a good virtual view. And if you watch it online, you don’t need to wear any special glasses.
If this is the plan for your family, you will want add the live stream page to your favorites so you can jump in quickly just before 5am EST.
For those of us who don’t live in Europe, Asia, or Africa, there’s good news: the next total solar eclipse will occur on April 8, 2023, and it will be visible across North and Central America. .