Solar Eclipse 2024

The Monday, April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The total solar eclipse will begin over the South Pacific Ocean. Although the Chicago area is only expecting 94% totality, weather permitting, we should be able to see the eclipse beginning at 12:51pm and ending at 3:31pm. We should be maximum totality for our area at 2:07pm.  Below are a number of sources - both serious and light-hearted related to eclipses.

The only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed Sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses” ) or handheld solar viewers. Ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the Sun; they transmit far more sunlight than is safe for our eyes. See a Suppliers of Safe Solar Viewers & Filters page for sources of solar viewers verified to be compliant with the transmittance requirements of the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard.

Pinhole and Optical Projection - a convenient method for safe viewing of the partially eclipsed Sun is pinhole projection. 

• "Astronomer Builds Kid-Friendly Eclipse Viewer for Under $20" (College of Charleston)
• "Eye Safety During a Solar Eclipse" (NASA)
• "How to Look at the Sun Safely" (Sky & Telescope)
• "How to Make a Pinhole Camera" (NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
• "How to Safely View a Solar Eclipse" (Exploratorium)
• "How to Watch a Partial Solar Eclipse Safely" (Sky & Telescope)