Safely Viewing the Upcoming Annular Eclipse in San Antonio and the Hill Country

Politics, News Sept. 21, 2023, 9:13 a.m.

San Antonio and the Hill Country will experience two eclipses, starting with an annular eclipse on October 14. Safety precautions for eclipse viewing are crucial, emphasizing the use of ISO 12312-2 compliant eclipse glasses.

San Antonio and the Hill Country are in for a celestial treat as two eclipses are set to grace the skies within a span of just six months. The first of these celestial spectacles will be an annular eclipse, scheduled for October 14th. During this event, the moon will pass in front of the sun, creating a captivating "ring of fire" effect in the sky.

But before you prepare for this celestial show, it's crucial to understand how to safely view the eclipse. Remember those eclipse glasses that were all the rage during The Great American Eclipse in 2017? Well, you'll need to dust off your pair or acquire a new one.

Why the need for eclipse glasses, you might wonder? Even during an annular solar eclipse, the sun is never completely blocked by the moon. This means it's never safe to gaze directly at the sun without specialized eye protection designed for solar viewing. Experts emphasize that even when 99% of the sun's surface is obscured, the remaining sunlight is still potent enough to cause retinal damage.

So, if you plan to witness the eclipse directly, ensure you have eclipse glasses that meet the necessary safety standards. It's essential to check their authenticity to ensure they adhere to NASA's recommended guidelines. Eclipse glasses and hand-held solar viewers must meet the following criteria:

ISO 12312-2 Standard: Eclipse glasses and hand-held solar viewers should meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard. NASA's partner, the American Astronomical Society, verifies manufacturers producing these compliant glasses. You can find a comprehensive list on their website.

Quality Assurance: Several reputable stores like Home Depot, Lowes, and Walmart are selling certified solar viewers, giving you easy access to reliable eye protection.

Maintenance: Modern eclipse glasses with the ISO 12312-2 designation do not have an expiration date as long as they remain free from punctures, scratches, or tears, and the filters/lenses stay securely attached to the frames.

If you're searching for alternatives to eclipse glasses, you can try a pinhole projection method to observe the partially eclipsed sun safely. Here's how it works: Cross the outstretched, slightly open fingers of one hand over those of the other. With your back to the sun, examine your hands' shadow on the ground. The small gaps between your fingers will project a grid of tiny images on the ground, revealing the sun as a crescent during the partial phases of the eclipse.

However, it's crucial to note that homemade filters or regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not suitable for safe solar viewing. Additionally, avoid using unfiltered telescopes or binoculars to observe the sun, as these optical instruments intensify the light and can pose serious risks to your eyes.

The annular solar eclipse will create a mesmerizing path from Oregon to the Gulf of Mexico. In San Antonio, the partial eclipse will commence at 10:23 a.m. and conclude at 1:33 p.m. The peak of this event, the full annular eclipse, will last for a little over 4 minutes, occurring from 11:52 a.m. to 11:56 a.m.

And once you've marveled at October's celestial event, keep your eclipse glasses handy. Parts of San Antonio and the Hill Country are in line for another celestial treat in April – a total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024!