CCPS to Provide Eclipse Glasses to Students and Staff (includes viewing safety tips)
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eclipse glasses
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Safety Tips Are Included in the Article
August 15, 2017
Eclipse Safety: District Provides Solar Eclipse Glasses to Students and Staff
In preparation of the Solar Eclipse, scheduled for August 21st , the district will provide a pair of eclipse glasses to each student and staff member. The glasses contain NASA approved solar filters.
In addition to the glasses, students and staff will receive a memo describing how to view the eclipse. “While we embrace the solar eclipse as a wonderful learning opportunity in our community, it is also important that we keep safety at the forefront. Educating ourselves on how to properly view the eclipse will make our experience more enjoyable,” says Superintendent Mary Ann Gemmill.
Joe Sullivan, Meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Louisville, provides this statement in regard to the eclipse: “During an eclipse, it can be dark enough to look directly at the sun without reflexive squinting or pupil constriction. DON'T DO IT! Looking directly at the sun without proper protection can cause partial but permanent eye and vision damage regardless of its brightness! NEVER look directly at the sun, ESPECIALLY during an eclipse, when the lower light fools your pupils into not constricting. Regardless of the brightness, permanent eye and vision damage can occur.”
The glasses and memos will be distributed this week. CCPS shall be in no way responsible for the proper use, maintenance, and care of eclipse glasses. For more information on eclipse eye safety, please visit: https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety. Please see safety memo *attached.
The Commissioner of Education also shared these imporant reminder in a recent email:
· Anyone planning to view the solar eclipse should get a pair of eclipse viewing glasses, which make it possible for observers to look directly at the sun during a partial eclipse. Glasses should be obtained and should be compliant with the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard and should be obtained from reputable vendors approved by NASA and the American Astronomical Society.
· If you normally wear eyeglasses, eclipse glasses should be worn over your glasses.
· Regular sunglasses – no matter how dark – and homemade filters do not provide sufficient protection.
· Do not look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars or other optical device.
· Do not put on or remove eclipse glasses while looking at the sun. Turn your head first.
· It is not safe to look at the sun without protection except during the brief total phase of a solar eclipse, which will only happen within the narrow path of totality. If you are in the path of totality, you won’t be able to see anything through eclipse glasses during the brief period of totality. However, as soon as beads of light begin to reappear as the edge of the sun emerges, you should avert your eyes and put your eclipse glasses back on.
For an opportunity to win a Solar Eclipse themed t-shirt and a pair of eclipse glasses, head to the CCPS Facebook page and “share” our post detailing How to View the Solar Eclipse. A winner will randomly be selected on Thursday, August 17. CCPS Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ChristianCountyPublicSchools/.
