I’m sure at this point everyone has heard the big news: On August 21st, there is going to be a total solar eclipse, the path of which is going to extend from coast to coast across the United States. That’s a pretty rare thing (this is the first total solar eclipse in the US since 1979!), and that means that excitement is running high. It makes sense: You wouldn’t want to miss the eclipse, would you?
Though Connecticut isn’t in the path of totality, which will see the spectacular full coverage of the sun by the moon which has been called a religious experience by some, we will still be able to view the eclipse in our fair state. According to NASA, in CT coverage will be between 60% and 70%, sure to amaze anyone gazing up at the sky.
So, whether you’ve got little ones and you want to make sure they can enjoy the eclipse, you want to take make a romantic date out of it, or you just want an excuse to leave work early, here’s a quick checklist of things to keep in mind when you go outside on August 21st to check out the eclipse.
1. Make sure you’re wearing your eclipse glasses.
Safety first, guys! As this article on CNN explains (and as common sense tells us) staring at the sun can damage our eyes and even lead to blindness. That means that having protective eyewear is critical for anyone who is going to be watching the eclipse.
Will any old sunglasses do? No. Not even close. You need a pair of eclipse glasses to watch the eclipse safely. These are relatively cheap (Sean bought the office a 10 pack for about $20 on Amazon). When you put them on, you won’t be able to see anything other than the sun. Without these glasses, you really risk injuring your eyes, a danger that is especially large for kids.
2. Make sure you know when to go outside!
You really don’t want to miss out on the eclipse because you had the day and time wrong. So we’re just going to spell it out for you here: The eclipse will be visible in Connecticut on Monday, August 21, 2017 from 1:25pm to 4pm. The sun will be its most covered at 2:45pm.
You should bear in mind that we don’t know what the weather is going to be like just yet (it’s more than a week away!) so we could all be really disappointed if it winds up being rainy or cloudy. But here’s to hoping for a bright, sunny day!
3. Make a day out of it!
Look, the next solar eclipse visible in CT is going to be years away, so you might as well make a day out of this one. It’s a big deal! Take the day off from work (or call out sick) and take the people you love somewhere where you can enjoy the eclipse at its fullest effect. So go on, go to the beach, head to a vineyard, or just spend the afternoon in your backyard marveling at the wonders of the universe. I promise, you won’t regret that you did.
What are your plans?
So how do you plan on enjoying the eclipse? Are you going to make a romantic date out of it with your significant other? Spend it with the kids? Where are you going to be watching from? Let us know in the comments below!
