Eclipse 2024: Keep Your Eyes Protected
As celestial events go, few capture the imagination and wonder of humanity quite like a solar eclipse. The awe-inspiring sight of the moon passing between the Earth and the sun, casting a temporary shadow on our planet, is a rare and breathtaking phenomenon.
On April 8, 2024, nature enthusiasts, astronomers, and curious onlookers will gather in New York’s Adirondack Mountains to witness the eclipse—a momentous occasion that demands both wonder and caution. With excitement building for this cosmic spectacle, NASA and other experts advise anyone planning to watch the eclipse to prioritize eye safety to ensure a memorable and safe viewing experience.
Eclipse eye safety Precautions
Observing a solar eclipse without adequate eye protection can cause severe and irreversible damage to your vision. Wearing sunglasses alone DOES NOT provide sufficient protection for your eyes.
The intense radiation emitted by the sun, even when partially obscured by the moon, can burn the retina, leading to solar retinopathy—a condition characterized by blurred vision, blind spots, and even permanent blindness.
1) Use only certified solar filters.
Only view the Eclipse through specialized solar filters specifically designed for this purpose. These devices, such as eclipse glasses or solar viewers, are equipped with certified solar filters that block harmful ultraviolet, visible, and infrared radiation while allowing safe viewing of the sun.
A list of eclipse glasses suppliers is available on the American Astronomical Society website.
2) Inspect your equipment before the Eclipse.
Before the Eclipse begins, thoroughly inspect your solar viewing equipment for any signs of damage or wear. Scratched or punctured filters can compromise effectiveness, putting your eyes at risk. Ensure that your eclipse glasses or viewers are in pristine condition before use.
3) Keep an eye on the Lil’ ADKers.
If children are joining you to witness the Eclipse, closely supervise them to ensure they understand the importance of eye safety. Please provide your Lil’ ADKers with adequately fitted eclipse glasses and instruct them on using the eyewear correctly. Never leave children unattended during the event.
4) Beware of counterfeit products.
Only purchase solar viewing products from reputable vendors and manufacturers. Beware of counterfeit or uncertified eclipse glasses, which may not provide adequate protection against solar radiation. Verify that your eclipse glasses bear the appropriate certification marks, such as the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard.
5) Learn about alternative viewing methods.
Another way to witness the solar Eclipse is through indirect viewing using a pinhole projector (see instructional video below). This easy-to-make device projects an image made through a pinhole using an average cardboard container, like a cereal or shoe box. The pinhole method lets you observe the Eclipse indirectly without risking eye damage.
Let Parker show you how to make a pinhole projector.
Watch this brief, fun, helpful video starring Parker, which shows us how to make a pinhole projector to view the solar Eclipse in just a few easy steps.
The Adirondack region will offer breathtaking views of this extraordinary cosmic event, with numerous special events and fantastic locations to experience it. For more information about where to view the Eclipse in the Adirondacks and events, check out ADK Taste’s Eclipse web page.
More Adirondack Solar Eclipse news and information.
With less than a week until the big day, get our recommendations on the great places to experience the 2024 Solar Eclipse.
Observing a solar eclipse without adequate eye protection can cause serious and irreversible damage to your vision.
Adirondack organizations collaborate to offer guidance on enjoying a safe and sustainable total solar eclipse.
Demand for lodging in the Adirondacks during the Total Solar Eclipse is at an all-time high.
Understanding the Path of Totality and the upcoming Total Eclipse in the Adirondack Park.
The Adirondack Sky Center and Observatory is “Eclipse Central” during the 2024 Great North American Eclipse.
Tupper Lake is ideally suited for stargazing. And the Adirondack Sky Center offers a fantastic facility for exploring the cosmos.
Experience the path of totality in the Adirondacks during the 2024 Great North American Eclipse.
Discover even more in the Adirondacks with ADK Taste.
Upcoming events in the Adirondacks.
Beam me up! It’s time for Trekonderoga at the Star Trek Original Series Set Tour in Ticonderoga featuring Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Walter Koenig, and special guest Clint Howard.
The Adirondack Experience re-opens for the 2024 season just in time for Memorial Day weekend.
Kick-Off Summer on Lake George at Silver Bay YMCA. Enjoy three days of activities on the Queen of American lakes in the Adirondacks.
Party on Park Street in Tupper Lake on Memorial Day Weekend. Kick-off summer 2024 in style in the Adirondacks.
The Central Adirondack town of Inlet hosts Hamilton County’s annual Memorial Day parade.
Attend the 20th Anniversary of one of the Adirondack region’s most cherished birding festivals.
The legendary Black Fly Challenge is an Adirondack bike race between Indian Lake and Inlet, NY. held on the second Saturday in June. The 2024 race commences in Inlet on June 8.
The annual celebration of all things canine is back, June 8-9, 2024, in Chestertown for a weekend of peace, paws, and music.
Athletes will again descend on Tupper Lake on June 29, 2024, for the historic Tinman Triathlon, one of the oldest triathlon events in the USA.
William Shatner returns to the Star Trek Original Set Tour in Ticonderoga July 12-14, 2024.
The course is set for Lake Placid’s first-ever Spartan trail race series at historic Mt. Van Hoevenberg on August 10, 2024.
The Adirondack village of Whitehall, NY, hosts its annual Sasquatch Festival and Calling Contest in Skenesborough Park on September 28, 2024.
The ultimate playlist for the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse in the Adirondacks.