We got Dr. Michael Kirk’s expert advice ahead of the April 8 total eclipse.
Whether this April ’s full solar occultation will or willnotbe your first occultation rodeo , you might desire to take your space cowboy hat off and take heed to a few wise to Son of wiseness — which wo n’t come from me , of course .
On April 8 , the much - awaitedtotal solar eclipsewill cross North America , and legion State across the US will be able to get totality for a few minutes . This year , Great American Eclipse reports that one to four million people are expected to journey to be in the path of totality , counting bothseasoned occultation chasersand new space - curious family line among them .
If you belong to the second family of people — or if you simply would care to learn a affair or two about eclipse - watching best practice — we’re here to help . Or better , a real NASA scientist is here to facilitate . In a recent consultation with Thrillist , Dr. Michael Kirk , a research scientist in the Heliophysics Science Division at NASA ’s Goddard Space Flight Center , throw off some light on how to good experience this yr ’s full solar occultation , providing useful tips and entropy for both experienced and new witness likewise .
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If you ’re still on the fence about being in 100 % totality during the eclipse and take an extra nudge to make the commitment , Dr. Kirk is the correct person to finally win over you to do so . According to Dr. Kirk , being at 99 % totality is " definitely tasteful , " but it is n’t the same as being in total eclipse swarthiness . Totality , instead , is a " visceral experience , " hepreviously told Thrillist . And , according to him , you really should n’t miss out on it .
Now that you ’re hopefully positive to be in the path of totality on April 8 , lease ’s get into some of the essence NASA bakshis to make the most out of the experience .
How to safely watch the total solar eclipse
Dr. Kirk ca n’t stress enough theimportance of having eclipse glasseswith you on the twenty-four hours of the eclipse . At the same time , he ca n’t recommend enough that people actually take them off ( at the correct time ! )
" When [ the sunshine ] is 100 % insure , you remove your glasses , and you could see [ the total solar eclipse ] with your own nude eye , " Dr. Kirk explains . " And then of course of study , as the Sunday goes out of sum , and again , you get down to that 99.99 % covered , you have to put your eclipse glasses back on . "
The latter composition of entropy is all-important . Both before and forthwith after the Lord’s Day gets covered completely , you have to put your occultation glasses on . Not abiding by these rules could lead to serious eye injury — so watch out , and never look at the sun with a nude eye unless it ’s completely cover !
How to know when exactly to take your eclipse glasses off
have a go at it when incisively to take your occultation glasses off can seem like an intimidating task , but Dr. Kirk promises doing so safely is light than you think . It ’s a round-eyed , yet very effectual pattern .
" If you ’re way out and you do n’t have a good clock or you ’re not quite sure when aggregate find , " Dr. Kirk says , " when you have your eyeglasses on and the sun disappears and you ca n’t see anything in your meth anymore , then [ that ’s when ] you could take them off . "
The same rule applies to the moments aright after the eclipse , too . As shortly as the sun starts top out out again , make certain to look away , and put your occultation chicken feed back on . Above all , Dr. Kirk advises to trust your instincts . " If you ca n’t see anything through your glass any longer , you could take them off , " he says . " If you are seeing bright sunlight , it ’s time to not to look at the sun any longer . "
Courtesy of NASA
What are the best locations for viewing the eclipse this year, according to NASA?
Unfortunately , for this upcoming occultation , cloud cover is blend in to be the biggest challenge , and a fewstates within the eclipse ’s path of totalitymight pretermit out on witnessing the existent event . However , some placement are better than others .
" The full probability are right at the US - Mexico border inside the US , and that ’s only about 50/50 in terms of climatology of how likely it is go to be nebulous , " explains Dr. Kirk . " If you get up to New England , it ’s really unsmooth , [ with ] only a 20 - 30 % chance of clear skies . So if I could go anywhere , I would go down to Mexico . "
For the case , Dr. Kirk will be supporting NASA at the Dallas Arboretum in Texas , which is one of the major NASA events taking office on eclipse day . Additional NASA occultation events are also occur in Cleveland and in Kerrville , Texas .
Key advice #1: Be mobile
Since cloud cover is run short to be the biggest business organisation and circumstance , Dr. Kirk suggest you be ready to move around to beguile a glimpse of the eclipse .
" If you absolutely want to see the eclipse , the best affair to do is be really wandering , " Dr. Kirk order . " Because if clouds are come in , you’re able to be mobile and drive someplace else . "
Key advice #2: Don’t take photos of the eclipse
One thing you really should n’t be occupy about on eclipse day is accept picture of the real eclipse . According to Dr. Kirk , you should just forget about it , because it wo n’t be deserving your time .
" I do n’t give care how upright of a photographer you are , occultation photography is just unlike , " he excuse . " You ’re going to be let down the first sentence you do it , so take a picture of your friends , your menage , the surround , the party , and do n’t interest about taking a photo of the eclipse itself . "
Mind you , it ’s not that Dr. Kirk does n’t trust your photographic acquirement — it ’s just that eclipse photography is undecomposed when left to professionals or amateur astronomers who are able-bodied to take gorgeous photos of it . And as Dr. Kirk point out , some of them will be available online for innocent , so you’re able to download one of those if you want a printed - out memory of the phenomenon .
It ’s also part of Dr. Kirk ’s agenda to remind you to freely enjoy the result .
" Make certain that you have metre to enjoy the eclipse , specially in entireness , and do n’t strain to be doing too many things , " he says . " Be a little selfish and enjoy it . See how it impacts you , because it touch everybody . There has n’t been a undivided person I met that has n’t felt something from the eclipse . "
Key advice #3: Make it fun
It ’s a serious celestial consequence , but it does n’t have to be ! The best matter that you could do to really savor the event and make cherished memories is , even according to a NASA scientist , to examine and genuinely have a in force time with it .
" Make an result out of it , make it a political party , " sound out Dr. Kirk . " Even if you ’re just in your backyard , just have fun with it , because you ca n’t manipulate the conditions as much as we ’d like to , but what you may keep in line is how you revel it , so take some time and make a architectural plan . "
That direction , even in the unfortunate event of cloudy weather , you still have something to revel with your friend , family unit , or all the other folks that tuck with you for the sidereal day . As Dr. Kirk points out , there will be plenty of livestreams — even NASA - curated ones!—and worst subject scenario , you may count on those while you still have a netherworld of a good time .
Key advice #4: Use all the eclipse-related NASA resources available
If you really want to make the most out of the eclipse , NASA has stupefy you covered . Dr. Kirk strongly encourage everyone interested in the total solar occultation to head over toNASA ’s websiteand chink out the latest update resource and occultation maps .
" Make trusted [ you ] can go to nasa.gov , especially if you are n’t able to see the eclipse , " he explains . " FOMO is real ! "
During the eclipse , Dr. Kirk explains , you’re able to even be part of the celebrations and parties through NASA ’s occultation broadcast . " Even if you have to work or you ’re in school or something , you may still be a part of the celebration , because it really is nationwide , " says Dr. Kirk . " And we desire to let in everybody . "
