Officials address eye safety during today’s solar eclipse
<p>Parts of the U.S. will be able to see a total eclipse of the sun for the first time in almost 40 years, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.</p>
News 12 Staff
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Aug 21, 2017, 10:03 AM
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Updated 2,449 days ago
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Parts of the U.S. will be able to see a total eclipse of the sun for the first time in almost 40 years, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Several organizations across western Connecticut are holding watch parties later today, including Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk.
Visitors can see the eclipse as it's streamed live at the Multimedia Gallery.
According to NASA, everyone in North America, parts of South America, Africa, and Europe will see at least a partial solar eclipse.
Fourteen states will experience totality, or complete coverage of the sun by the moon.
Connecticut isn't in the path of totality, but experts say the state will experience 68-percent coverage of the sun during a two-and-a-half-hour window.
Experts say the eclipse will start at 1:25 this afternoon, with maximum coverage at 2:45, ending around 4:00.
Live coverage courtesy of NASA:
If you plan on watching, the Norwalk Emergency Management has some important safety tips.
Officials warn to not look straight at the sun, even if you're wearing sunglasses.
The solar eclipse can cause burns to the eye's cornea, lens and retina.
Observers must use special-purpose solar filters, such as eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers.
Do not look at the sun through a camera, telescope, binoculars or other optical device.
They also advise to keep your pets inside during the eclipse.
The watch party will go from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Click here for more information.
