PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — This astronomical event does not happen every year. The last time a total solar eclipse came to the states was in 2017.
10 On Your Side spoke with Jeff Goldstein, a NASA Partner Solar Eclipse Ambassador with Back Bay Amateur Astronomers. His advice to anyone who wants to see the eclipse is to plan now.
The path of totality stretches from Texas, all the way to Maine. At different times of day on April 8th, anyone along the path will be able to see the total solar eclipse. Hampton Roads will see the moon cover about 78% of the sun.
Eclipse gazers cannot look at the celestial wonder without the right pair of safety glasses. Goldstein said people should look for solar glasses approved by the American Astronomical Society.
Looking at the sun without the glasses could cause permanent vision damage. The glasses are affordable now, but in the days leading up to the 2017 eclipse, prices for those glasses skyrocketed.
The last time Goldstein tried seeing the total eclipse, he said clouds covered it up. He still got to experience a few minutes of dark skies in the middle of the day. For anyone traveling to totality, he recommends finding a rural area next an interstate so you can quickly drive to clear skies if clouds cover the sun.
Goldstein is taking his telescope to Waco, Texas to get good pictures of the total eclipse. He urges other star gazers to just enjoy the moment.
“Don’t worry about photographing it, don’t worry about your cell phone,” Goldstein said. “Get your solar glasses and all that, just enjoy the view and experience. It’s a once in a lifetime experience.”
If you miss out on this one, the next American solar eclipse happens in 2033, only viewable from Alaska. The 48 states will not get another until 2044 and again in 2045.
