Solar eclipse, North Idaho style
(Courtesy of UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO) UI Physics professors Matt Hedman (left) and Jason Barnes are ready for the Aug. 21 total solar eclipse.
(Courtesy of UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO) Path of totality for the Aug. 21 solar eclipse.
Courtesy of NASA’s SCIENITIFIC VISUALIZATION STUDIO This visualization shows the Earth, moon and sun during the Aug. 21 solar eclipse.
It’s going to be lights out Aug. 21.
Word to the wise, though? Don’t ditch your shades.
NASA predicts that from a Coeur d’Alene perspective, the coming solar eclipse will cover 90 percent of the sun. Experts say it’s still not safe to look directly at the eclipse without protection. And you’ll definitely want to see this.
For the first time in nearly a century, the sun, moon and Earth will align to cast a 70-mile shadow across the U.S.
Newsweek referred it to as the “Great American Eclipse” because this is the first eclipse since 1776 that will be visible only in the U.S.
Lucky for Idaho, the eclipse’s “band of totality,” or the area in which the sun will be completely covered by the moon — causing total darkness — will cross through Weiser, Cascade, Idaho Falls and Rexburg and some surrounding areas. These places will be prime viewing areas, but people will still see a “partial eclipse” from around the state, and the totality will only last two to three minutes anyway.
Matthew Hedman, assistant physics professor at the University of Idaho, said he thinks this phenomenon would be worth the drive.
“The difference between being in the band and just barely outside of it will be huge,” Hedman said. “Even a small part of the solar disk will be bright enough to keep you from seeing the sun’s corona (the sun’s outermost atmosphere) or seeing stars in the daytime.”
However, a partial eclipse could harm unprotected eyes because of the rays of light that peek through the craters on the moon. Looking directly at them poses a risk of blindness, especially for young people, according to NASA. It’s not any riskier than looking directly at the sun on a normal day, but people are more likely to stare during an eclipse.
Jason Barnes, associate physics professor at UI, recommended everyone buy a pair of protective glasses designed for solar eclipses. People can get them for a dollar online, but Barnes predicted they’ll increase to $5 as the eclipse draws nearer. People can view the eclipse indirectly without glasses by turning around, interlocking their fingers and holding them up to cast a shadow where small crescents of light will appear, resembling the actual eclipse.
“I’ve never seen one of these before. But the advice I’d give to people is to just live in the moment and enjoy the experience. Don’t get stuck trying to look through too much equipment,” Barnes said.
The shadow will take an hour and a half to cross the country, hitting Coeur d’Alene at 9:13 a.m., with 90 percent of the sun covered by 10:28 a.m., and ending at 11:48 a.m., according to Barnes.
Students, faculty and researchers at UI plan to explore the research and educational opportunities the eclipse will present. The team at UI provided tips on how spectators can enjoy the eclipse safely along with other resources on the College of Science’s website: www.uidaho.edu/news/eclipse.