Another spectacular show in Reno

Another spectacular show in Reno

On the morning of Monday, Aug. 21, attendees of the 99th National Convention in Reno, Nev., will face a distraction from their meetings and gatherings: the North American solar eclipse that everyone in the United States will see in some form. In Reno time (Pacific), the event will occur from 9:04 to 11:43 a.m., with its point of maximum eclipse (86 percent) at 10:20.

The approximately two-and-a-half hours give plenty of time to slip outside the Reno-Sparks Convention Center or the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa and take a look. But it is vital that viewing be done safely.

NASA has created a minisite – https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov – with a wealth of information, from the science of eclipses to educational opportunities to a list of local events. One of the most important aspects of the site, though, talks about how to view the eclipse safely. According to the site, “The only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as ‘eclipse glasses’ or handheld solar viewers. Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun; they transmit thousands of times too much sunlight.” Only those in the belt of totality (which does not include Reno) will be able to safely look directly at the sun, and even then only at the moment of totality. Filters are required at all other times.

The American Astronomical Society has made a list of manufacturers and dealers offering eclipse glasses and viewers that have been verified as meeting international safety standards. That list is at https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/solar-filters. Retailers carrying safe glasses include 7-Eleven, Lowe’s, Walmart, Kroger and more.

If your post will be holding an eclipse information or viewing event, tell us about it on the Legiontown blog (www.legiontown.org).