The New York Times and other media outlets are alerting the public to be cautious when selecting “Eclipse Glasses” for viewing this month’s solar eclipse. The August 21 phenomenon is generating great excitement, not surprising as this will be the first in 99 years to be visible from the whole United States continent.
Sadly, bogus sunglasses are being sold that do not provide the necessary eye protection, leaving wearers who gaze at the sun vulnerable to severe eye damage.
The American Astronomical Society and NASA have posted a list of reputable solar filter brands, retail distributors and online dealers, available at https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/solar-filters, and reminding us that your eyes are precious, give advice for safe eclipse viewing.
Here at the library we have a limited supply of certified safe shades for viewing the eclipse that we will make available for patrons, one per family, while supplies last, starting Monday, August 14.
Additional eclipse fun: We’ll be creating our own pinhole eclipse viewer, followed by other art and interactive learning activities. Bring a cereal box with you for the pinhole viewer. There will be a video all about solar eclipses and live-streaming the total eclipse from the NASA website. If it’s a sunny day, we’ll head outside about 2:30 PM to experience the eclipse through our pinhole viewers. Free and open to the public.
Most appropriate for children ages 7 and older. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Sponsored by the Berkshire Athenaeum and The Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum.
