Solar eclipse watch party
The Division of Student Affairs is holding a watch party for the solar eclipse on
Monday, April 8.
According to experts, the maximum eclipse visible in Winston-Salem will take place at 3:13 p.m. Monday. Student Affairs staff members will be giving out approved eclipse glasses to students approximately 30 minutes prior to the maximum eclipse. The watch party will be centered outside of the Pickle Jar, in the area of Daniels Plaza.
About the eclipse
During a total solar eclipse, the moon completely blocks the sun while it passes between
the sun and the Earth. Most of the U.S. will experience a partial eclipse, which is
outside of the path of totality, where the total solar eclipse will be visible. The
path of totality runs from Maine to Texas.
In Winston-Salem, experts say the partial solar eclipse will begin at 1:56 p.m. and
will reach its maximum at 3:13 p.m. Our eclipse will end at 4:27 p.m. You can learn
more at TimeandDate.com and NationalEclipse.com.
Saftey precautions
It is never safe to look directly at the sun, even when it is partly or mostly covered
by the moon. Special eclipse glasses or pinhole projectors are required. Eclipse glasses
are thousands of times darker than normal sunglasses. Failing to take the proper precautions
can result in severe eye injury.
Eclipse-watchers should also never view any part of the sun through binoculars, telescopes
or camera lenses unless they have specific solar filters attached.
If you are not able to attend the watch party and have your own eclipse glasses, be
sure they are not fake. On legitimate pairs, the lenses should have a silver appearance
on the front and be black on the inside. The manufacturer’s name and address should
be clearly labeled, and they should not be torn or punctured. Check, as well, for
the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) logo and the code “IS 12312-2”
printed on the inside.
The next total solar eclipse to cross the continental U.S. coast-to-coast in will
not happen until 2045.