Where and how to safely watch the April 8 total solar eclipse in Somerset County
SOMERSET ― Unless cloud cover obscures our view, Somerset County can expect about 95% of the sun to be covered by the moon during the April 8 total solar eclipse, according to information from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
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In a total solar eclipse, the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, blocking the sun for a brief time and turning the sky dark, as though it was nighttime.
More: What time is the total solar eclipse on April 8? Search your ZIP code for a viewing guide
The eclipse is to begin over the South Pacific Ocean and cross into North America, moving from Mexico into the United States and crossing over the states of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, according to NASA.
Where and when will the solar eclipse cross over Somerset County?
In Pennsylvania, Erie and other northwestern cities will experience totality, or a 100% covering of the sun, at about 3:16 p.m. and lasting for 3 minutes and 42 seconds, according to NASA’s “Where and When" solar eclipse page.
While Somerset County won’t experience totality, “there will be a pretty darn good view of the eclipse (depending on the weather),” said Caitlin Michaels, an educational specialist with the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).
“All state parks will be open for people to find their favorite spot to watch the eclipse.”
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Locally, the first signs of the solar eclipse will begin about 2 p.m., with the maximum eclipse occurring about 3:18 p.m. The eclipse will then continue across the sun, ending around 4:31 p.m., according to a solar eclipse timeline for Somerset County at timeanddate.com.
“Don’t count on these being ‘exact’ times, so always allow a few minutes earlier than what is shown to be sure you capture any specific events you wish to observe,” said Steve Vincent, president of the Cumberland Astronomy Club.
How to watch the eclipse safely
NASA, Michaels, Vincent and others stress that it’s not safe to look directly at the eclipse unless you are wearing ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses. Sunglasses are not dark enough to protect your eyes, and looking directly at the eclipse without these protective glasses can cause permanent eye damage. Also make sure your solar glasses come from a reputable manufacturer, as cheap imitations are available that aren’t certified as safe to use.
“Be wary if (an advertisement) says ‘NASA approved,’ because NASA doesn’t approve any solar viewers,” Michaels said.
Where to watch: Here's where to join in a solar eclipse watch party around Somerset County
Also resist the urge to use binoculars or take a photograph of the eclipse, even while wearing the correct solar glasses, because cameras, cell phones and other devices also need a special solar filter to prevent serious eye damage.
“Photographs of the eclipse will also be a no-no in our area, unless your phone or camera is protected with an appropriate solar filter,” Vincent said.
Eclipse glasses, pinhole viewers
Fortunately, several local libraries are distributing certified eclipse glasses for the event, and there are other ways to safely observe the eclipse without looking directly at the sun.
The Somerset County Library and the Mary S. Biesecker Public Library in Somerset are planning eclipse viewing parties on April 8 at their respective libraries. Each library also has a limited number of certified eclipse glasses to distribute free to the public. Those interested in obtaining a pair of glasses from the Somerset County Library are to register online using this link, https://www.facebook.com/events/422116187162735/?ref=newsfeed. The Mary S. Biesecker Library will distribute its eclipse glasses starting at 4 p.m. April 5 through April 8, until the supply is gone.
The Meyersdale Public Library and the Windber Public Library also have a limited supply of certified eclipse glasses to hand out free, upon request, while the supply lasts.
In Grantsville, the Ruth Enlow Library of Garrett County is planning a watch party and is distributing a limited supply of viewing glasses, one per family, starting April 1.
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Another way to safely watch the eclipse is to make a pinhole viewer, which projects the image of the eclipse onto a flat surface rather than facing directly at the sun. A cardboard box, two paper plates, even a pasta colander can be used as a pinhole viewer – just remember, don’t look directly at the sun through the holes, but stand with your back to the sun and watch the image appear in front of you!
NASA has designed a pinhole viewer for the solar eclipse; to download and print the image, go to https://science.nasa.gov/learn/heat/resource/2024-total-solar-eclipse-usa-map-nasa-pinhole-projector/. The agency also offers instructions on making other types of pinhole viewers.
How to watch the solar eclipse online
Finally, a great way to safely watch the eclipse, especially if clouds obscure the sky in Somerset County that day, is at one of the many websites offering an online livestream of the event as it occurs.
NASA has a livestream planned; to register for the event, visit go.nasa.gov/Eclipse2024, click on the News and Events tab and scroll down to select Virtual Events.
Space.com and timeanddate.com are also scheduled to host livestreams of the total solar eclipse.
The next total solar eclipse won’t take place for another 20 years, on Aug. 23, 2044; its path will cross the western provinces of Canada as well as Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota in the U.S.
Beth Ann Miller is a staff writer for the Daily American, for story ideas, send an email to bethm@dailyamerican.com.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Expect 95% coverage of the sun in Somerset County during April 8's total solar eclipse
