Experience The Total Solar Eclipse: A Journey Across 13 States

Monday's solar eclipse will see 13 states across the United States plunge into darkness as the path of the moon crosses over the sun. This spectacular event is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors across the nation. The path of totality begins in Mexico and crosses through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Small portions of Tennessee and Michigan will also witness the total solar eclipse, as confirmed by NASA. After traversing the U.S., the eclipse will move into Canada, continuing its journey before exiting North America along the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland.

State officials are taking precautionary measures by issuing health and safety warnings about how to view the eclipse. They are also urging residents to stock up on supplies to prepare for the influx of visitors that might overwhelm local roads and services. To keep you informed, Newsweek has compiled a guide that summarizes all the essential information you need to know for this remarkable event.

Emergency Warnings Across the States

The potential influx of visitors has prompted state-of-emergency warnings in various parts of the U.S. Officials are concerned about how the high number of tourists might impact locations within the path of totality.

In New York, disaster and state-of-emergency warnings have been declared in Essex, Wayne, Jefferson, and Oswego counties. Similarly, in Texas, Kerr, Travis, Kaufman, Bosque counties, and the City of Killeen have issued similar declarations. In Indiana, Governor Eric Holcomb has declared a statewide state-of-emergency alert ahead of Monday's event, noting that the state is likely to see a significant influx of visitors that could disrupt emergency response and other critical infrastructure systems.

In Arkansas, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has also declared a state of emergency, designating $100,000 for emergency planners. This action allows state governors to request aid to bolster local resources, as many areas may not have the infrastructure to handle large crowds. In Oklahoma, the National Guard is set to deploy to assist local agencies and residents.

School Closures and Preparedness

In anticipation of the eclipse, schools in Texas, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont have announced either closures or early releases for students on Monday. These measures are intended to minimize the potential impact of the event on local services and infrastructure, ensuring a more organized response to the influx of visitors.

Newsweek has published a comprehensive list of school closures related to the eclipse.

Precautions for Pet Owners

Pet owners are advised to keep their animals indoors during the eclipse to prevent distress caused by large crowds. While it's unlikely that pets will stare directly at the sun, the presence of many people could lead to anxiety among animals.

Veterinarian Chris Barry from Kindred Spirits Veterinary in Orrington, Maine, emphasized that pets may feel uneasy in unfamiliar situations. He suggests keeping them inside to avoid potential stress caused by the excited crowd.

Photography and Phone Warnings

According to NASA, individuals wishing to photograph the eclipse using their phones should exercise caution, as pointing the camera directly at the sun could damage its image sensor. NASA has also warned that using magnifying lens attachments increases this risk.

The agency recommends using a filter, just like any other camera, and suggests placing a pair of eclipse glasses in front of your phone's lens during all times except totality. Anyone planning to use telescopes or binoculars must ensure that proper solar filters are in place.

Safe Viewing Practices

Whether you are in the path of totality or traveling to witness the event, it's crucial to remember that looking directly at the sun during the eclipse can result in severe and permanent eye damage. Ultraviolet radiation can burn the cornea, leading to solar keratitis, and potentially cause solar retinopathy, which occurs when a hole is burned into the retina.

To safely observe the eclipse, it is essential to use proper eye protection, such as solar viewing glasses or indirect viewing methods like pinhole projectors. These methods allow you to experience the eclipse without risking your eyesight.

It's important to note that eclipse glasses are not the same as regular sunglasses, which offer insufficient protection. Safe solar viewers must comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard and are thousands of times darker than regular sunglasses.

Pinhole Camera Assembly for Eclipse Viewing

If you're looking for a fun way to view the eclipse, you can create a pinhole camera using common materials. You'll need two pieces of stiff cardboard, aluminum foil, tape, scissors, and a pin or needle.

First, cut a small square or rectangle from the center of one cardboard piece to create a frame for your pinhole projector. Cover the hole with aluminum foil and tape it securely to the cardboard. Then, use a pin or needle to poke a small hole in the center of the aluminum foil.

Take the second piece of cardboard and place it on the ground or a flat surface, serving as your screen. Position the cardboard with the pinhole between the sun and the screen, ensuring that sunlight passes through the pinhole to project an image onto the screen. Adjust the distance as needed until the image is clear and focused. Remember, do not look at the sun through the pinhole!