NASA believes Missouri will be in the 60 to 70% eclipsed area of the Oct. 14 eclipse viewable in all the Americas, except for parts of northern Canada.
In Missouri, the eclipse starts about 10:28 a.m. and lasts through 11:54 a.m.
However, it is all fun and games until you stare at a solar eclipse.
The naked eye staring directly at the sun is not the right instrument to use to view the eclipse.
“The only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed, eclipsed, or annularly eclipsed Sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as ‘eclipse glasses’ or handheld solar viewers,” according to the American Astronomical Society.
So, unfiltered cameras, telescopes, binoculars or other optical instruments are also not safe.
Even looking away but attempting a photo or video with a phone’s camera for an extended time or a DSLR camera will do damage, but in this case, to the phone or the camera.
Their sensors were not made to tolerate the sun’s direct intensity for long periods.
Some people choose to use a welding helmet for viewing the eclipse. The AAS recommends choosing one with a shade number 12 or higher.
The AAS said even the number 12 might be uncomfortably bright and believes the “sweet spot” is a 13 or 14 filter, which, they say, are rarely stocked in supply stores.
Furthermore, adjustable or auto-darkening welding helmets typically do not have filters in the safe zone, according to the AAS, or do not auto-adjust fast enough to be of benefit.
It is possible to use a magnifying glass over an inflammable black surface to project the eclipsed sun without injury to the eyes.
Binoculars can also be used in the same projection method and, again, not projecting into the
eyes.
Interlacing the fingers and using small gaps between them to frame the eclipsed sun on a sidewalk or dark-colored object is also an option.
The AAS advises children should be supervised in any viewing of the eclipse.
