The American Corner at the Roseau Public Library is inviting the public to join them to view the solar eclipse on Monday, August 21, 2017, by 2.30 pm.
Free eclipse glasses will be provided.
The rare celestial event occurs when the moon passes between Earth and the sun.
Viewers from Dominica will witness a partial solar eclipse.
In Dominica, the eclipse will last two hours and 27 minutes.
It will start at 2:26 pm, peak at 3:44 pm and end at 4:53 pm.
Looking directly at the sun even for a short time can damage the eyes.
It is known that sunlight focused with a magnifying glass can start a fire.
The same occurs when the eye focuses the sunlight on the retina.
The sunlight burns a spot on the retina. The damage to the retina is called solar retinopathy. This damage can be permanent and can result in blindness.
Here are a few guidelines and advice from the American Academy of Ophthalmology to follow:
1. Use of Solar Filters
There is only one safe way to look directly at the sun, whether during an eclipse or not. It is through special-purpose solar filters. These solar filters are used in “eclipse glasses” or in hand-held solar viewers. They must meet a very specific worldwide standard known as ISO 12312-2.
• Keep in mind that ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, or homemade filters are not safe for looking at the sun.
• Never look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars or other similar devices. This is important even if you are wearing eclipse glasses or holding a solar viewer at the same time. The intense solar rays coming through these devices will damage the solar filter and your eyes.
2. Follow these steps for safely watching a solar eclipse:
• Carefully look at your solar filter or eclipse glasses before using them. If you see any scratches or damage, do not use them.
• Always read and follow all directions that come with the solar filter or eclipse glasses. Help children to be sure they use handheld solar viewers and eclipse glasses correctly.
•
• Before looking up at the bright sun, stand still and cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses or solar viewer. After glancing at the sun, turn away and remove your filter—do not remove it while looking at the sun.
Persons with eclipse glasses should look at the label to ensure that the ISO 12312-2 is printed on it. There may be fake eclipse glasses being sold to people.
Most people in Dominica will not have eclipse glasses. As a result the following is advised:
– KEEP CHILDREN INDOORS DURING THE DURATION OF THE PARTIAL SOLAR ECLIPSE.
– DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN AT ANY TIME
Nonetheless, Dominicans can still enjoy this memorable event.
1. The solar eclipse can be viewed on television and online
2. The solar eclipse can be viewed indirectly through a pinhole viewer. A pinhole viewer lets you project an image of the sun onto another surface, like paper, a wall or pavement. The image of the sun is safe to look at throughout the eclipse. Again do not look directly at the sun!
Instructions on how to make a pinhole viewer can be obtained online.
Animation below shows progress of eclipse from Dominica.
what!? Is trump GOD ?Come on people…. lets be real.
On a more serious note, this eclipse will not amount to much, but on Thursday, 10 June 2021, we will get a proper eclipse.
Make a note of that date.
I think its suppose to be 2024.
I would like to thank President Trump for giving us the most beautiful solar eclipse ever. Without him it would not have been possible.
Less than a year in office, we get such a wonderful gift from him. What spectacular cosmic event did we see under Obama? Thanks again DJT
Seems like you are the only one here with a sense of humor.