Solar Eclipse, August 21, 2017
Dear Alum Rock Parents,
As many of you may well be aware, there will be a partial Solar Eclipse occurring between the hours of 9:00 and 11:40am on Monday August 21st, 2017, with the maximum eclipse ocurring at approximately 10:15 am.
Observing the Sun can be extremely dangerous and can lead to blindness. The Sun has powerful ultraviolet rays that can damage the retina in a very short amount of time and it is extremely important that all students and the general population be aware of all the risks involved.
Firstly, you should never look directly at the Sun, even during a total eclipse. This can lead to permanent damage to your eyes or even blindness.
Never look at the sun through a pair of binoculars or a telescope. The intense focused light will permanently damage your eyes in seconds, possibly causing blindness. There are special filters that can be purchased to use with binoculars and telescopes but they must be exactly the right type of plastic and purchased from a specialist shop. Never use plastic filters to view the Sun unless they are specifically made for that purpose. They will not protect your eyes. Remember, sunlight gives out invisible rays too that will go straight through all household plastics.
Do not take a selfie with a camera phone. Snapping a selfie during Monday's solar eclipse may well be tempting but could lead to permanent eye damage. Camera phones did not exist during the last eclipse in 1999 and you should not even think about having a go – you could lose your sight.
Even wearing sunglasses will not protect eyes against potential damage. There are special Solar viewing glasses that can be bought online or from shops that are specifically for the purpose of viewing the Sun. Normal sun glasses – however dark – will not protect your eyes because the harmful UV and infrared rays will still get through the glasses and damage your eyes. Do not use Sunglasses to view the eclipse!
Stay safe,
-Alum Rock Union School District
