August’s “All-American” Eclipse of the Sun and How to View it Safely

In this illustrated, nontechnical talk, astronomer Andrew Fraknoi, will describe how eclipses work, why they are one of nature’s most spectacular sights, what scientists learn during eclipses, exactly when and where the eclipse of 2017 will be visible, and how to observe the eclipse and the Sun safely.

On Monday, August 21, 2017, there will be an eclipse of the Sun visible throughout the U.S. and all of North America.  People in a narrow path from Oregon to South Carolina will see a spectacular total eclipse. Everyone else (an estimated 500 million people, including all of us in the Bay Area) will see a partial eclipse, where the Moon covers a good part of the Sun.  Special glasses or viewing techniques are needed to look at the Sun safely during a partial eclipse (sunglasses are NOT enough).

At the conclusion of the program, everyone will receive a pair of certified safe eclipse glasses to take home courtesy of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

Speaker: Andrew Fraknoi, Foothill College