April 8’s total solar eclipse will be a cosmic event like no other, but there are many misconceptions about this natural phenomenon. Misunderstand this eclipse, and you risk missing or marring a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
So, let’s debunk nine common myths about total solar eclipses to help you enjoy this awe-inspiring event safely and fully.
Misconception 1: All Solar Eclipses Are The Same—And I’ve Already Seen One
No, they are not. If you’re from North America and you did not live or travel into the path of totality on August 21, 2017, what you have seen is a partial solar eclipse. Did it get dark at any point, and everyone around you get incredibly excited all at once? If not, then you have not seen a total solar eclipse.
Misconception 2: A 99% Eclipse Is Almost As Good As 100%
There is no such thing as 99% totality. There’s totality in the path and no totality out of it. Be inside of the path, not outside of it—or else you’ll miss the total solar eclipse and see only a partial eclipse. “Just talking about 99% totality is a misconception because a 99% partial solar eclipse is not 99% of the experience of totality,” said Dr. Tyler Nordgren, an Ithaca, New York-based astronomer, author of Sun Moon Earth and eclipse artist at Space Art Travel Bureau, in an interview. “Once you’re in the path of totality, the only thing that changes is the duration of it,” said Nordgren.
Use this interactive map and get yourself to a location within “the stripes.”
Misconception 3: It Is Never Safe To Look At A Solar Eclipse, Even During Totality
You must look at the totally eclipsed sun—it’s the entire reason to get into the path of totality. To look at any of the partial phases of the eclipse—from in or out of the path—without eye protection would be insane, but looking at the totally eclipsed sun—the sun’s corona—with the naked eye is the entire point of eclipse-chasing. “There are still people who say, ‘I don’t think I’m allowed to take these glasses off during totality,’ which is one of the most common misconceptions,” said Dr. Rick Feinberg, Project Manager, AAS Solar Eclipse Task Force, in an interview. “It’s reinforced by misinformation on some solar eclipse glasses, which read: never look directly at the sun without eye protection.” When it’s totally eclipsed, the corona is about the same brightness as the full moon. It’s not unsafe to look at. The crime would be not looking at it.
Misconception 4: Eclipses Are Dangerous For Pregnant Women
This one stems from an Aztec belief that a lunar eclipse was a result of a bite being taken out of the moon, which appears to have traveled through the generations to become a bite out of an unborn child’s face during a solar eclipse, according to USA Today. Some communities believe that pregnant women can only stay safe during an eclipse if they wear red or carry a piece of iron. Of course, none of it is true.
Misconception 5: ‘Eclipse Rays’ Can Cause Blindness
No, the sun does not emit more dangerous ultraviolet light rays during an eclipse than at any other time, and no, the eclipse does not focus or bend the sun’s rays in some dangerous way. “When you look at the sun at any time, it’s harmful to your eyes,” said Fienberg. Everyone knows that. But what about when the corona is visible during totality at a total solar eclipse? Of course not! “During totality, you see the corona, which is millions of degrees and radiates in the ultraviolet and X-ray, so some people think it’s harmful,” said Fienberg. “But it’s there all the time—on any sunny day—and the ‘harmful rays’ are blocked by Earth’s atmosphere, just as they are during totality.” If you’re inside the path of totality on April 8, you can look with your naked eyes at the corona, and it’s perfectly safe. For the partial phases—which constitutes the entire spectacle if you’re outside of the path of totality—use solar eclipse glasses, and you’ll be fine.
Misconception 6: The ‘Line Of Totality’ Is The Only Place To Be
If you’ve read up on the total solar eclipse, you’ll know that to experience it requires going to the path of totality. Everyone who’s anyone will boast about their intended location, which is likely on or very close to the “line of totality.” Here’s where you’ll find lodging at hugely inflated prices. The ‘line of totality’ does not exist.
Yes, the duration of totality is maximized on what is properly called the centerline of the path of totality. It’s also true that totality duration tapers off to a single second on the edges of the 115-mile wide path of totality. But the shape of the moon’s shadow means you don’t need to be on the centerline. For example, if totality lasts 4 minutes 26 seconds on the centerline, then it will last about 4 minutes halfway between the edge and the centerline. Besides, nobody ever remembers how many seconds they saw the eclipsed sun for—that it happens at all is a miracle, not for how long it happens.
Misconception 7: You Can Safely Watch An Eclipse Through Sunglasses
The only time it’s safe to view the eclipse with the naked eye is during totality. At all other times, you must use solar eclipse glasses, which massively reduce the light that can get through—which is obvious because you literally can’t see anything but the sun through them. Ordinary sunglasses—or multiple pairs of sunglasses worn on top of each other—are not sufficient because they pass thousands of times more light than is safe. Also not safe are neutral density or polarizing filters (such as those made for camera lenses), smoked glass, photographic or X-ray film (unexposed, exposed, or developed), “space blankets,” potato-chip bags, DVDs, according to the American Astronomical Society.
Misconception 8: My Dog Might Go Blind During The Eclipse
Is your dog interested in solar astronomy? If so, you’ve got a very special dog. Animals do not look at the sun. Ever. So why would your dog look at the sun while the moon is crossing it? No, your dog does not need eclipse glasses. If you’re in the path of totality, there’s a chance it might react to the sudden darkness. More likely, it will become excited when the humans around it do—so keep it on a leash.
Misconception 9: Eclipse Phases And Moon Phases Are The Same Thing
Show most people an image of an eclipsed sun and a crescent moon, and they will not be able to tell the difference. They couldn’t be more different. During the eclipse, the moon—which will be invisible because it’s precisely between the Earth and the sun—will block the sun. The light you see through your eclipse glasses as the partial phases take place is sunlight. On April 10, two days after the eclipse, you’ll see a slender crescent moon in the west after dark. It’s being side-lit by the sun as it gradually moves away from our star. The moon continuously changes its position relative to the sun and Earth, so we see a bigger and bigger portion of it being lit by the sun as it orbits the Earth.
For basic information about how, when and where to experience North America’s total solar eclipse and why you must try to get yourself to the path of totality on April 8, check my main feed.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
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