Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Tips for Watching Eclipse

 Gary Pettus authored the following press release for UMC. 

As the Solar Eclipse of 2024 looms, be warned that the face of the sun may not be the only thing that will fade.

Other potential disappearing acts include bird songscumulus clouds and your eyesight.

“If you choose to view the eclipse, please follow recommended precautions and take the information seriously,” said Dr. Kimberly Crowder, professor and Drs. Ching-Jygh and Lin Chen Chair for Excellence in Ophthalmology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

“Even brief amounts of exposure to ultraviolet radiation can cause permanent damage to the eyes, even blindness. Unfortunately, we saw patients with damage after the last eclipse a few years ago and, while we are always happy to have new patients, we hope to not have new patients due to the eclipse.” 

While a narrow swath of the U.S. will be treated to a total eclipse on April 8, Jackson residents will see the moon’s shadow take an 89 percent bite out of the Earth’s star, according to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks’ Mississippi Museum of Natural Science.  

In the capital city, the orbital obfuscation will begin at 12:33 p.m., peak at 1:52 p.m., and let the sun shine in fully again by 3:11.




But it won’t require hours of eclipse-gazing to take a bite out of your vision if done with the naked eye – or even, in many cases, when it’s fully clothed: Eyeing an eclipse through a camera lens, telescope or binoculars is also an invitation to severe vision injuries.

“With the naked eye, there is no set rule for how long it could take,” said Dr. Khushboo Agrawal, assistant professor of ophthalmology at UMMC.

“It could be a glance, a few seconds of looking, or prolonged staring; but even with a quick glance, the UV light from the sun’s rays is so powerful that when it strikes the most light-sensitive area of your retina, permanent damage, called solar retinopathy, can result.

“It also depends on visibility, cloudiness, how much pollution is in the air – all of those affect how much UV light exposure you’ll receive. It’s also based on your own personal eye health.”

Solar eclipses can be magnificent or calamitous, depending on how you view them. Literature and popular culture prefer calamity: Witness Mark Twain’s “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court,” and such movies as “The Little Shop of Horrors,” “Avatar: The Way of Water,” and “Barabbas” – specifically, the crucifixion scene.

To prevent your own personal calamity, heed the experts.

“When we look up at the sun or at bright UV light sources, radiation penetrates the fovea, the most light-sensitive area of the retina, and damages the photoreceptors,” Agrawal said.

“As a result, we are left with a blind spot in our central vision. For the most part, many people might describe distortion in their vision, or, in the case of a partial eclipse, a crescent-shaped blind spot in their retina.

“Because the retina doesn’t have pain receptors, you won’t feel pain or discomfort while looking at the sun; but, afterward, we will see the damage to the photoreceptors – typically, right away.

“During the week after an eclipse, my colleagues and I will get phone calls from people saying, ‘I looked at the eclipse, and my vision is blurry.’”

Indirect viewing is safe, in which case, a pinhole projector or camera serves the purpose. The American Academy of Ophthalmology offers other safe-viewing tips, and where to find reputable vendors of handheld viewers and solar eclipse glasses, courtesy of the American Astronomical Society.

“Get viewers or glasses from a trusted source only,” Agrawal said. Certain online retailers fail to fall under that category, she said. “The viewers and glasses that provide safety will filter out UV light and allow you to view the eclipse directly.”

Eclipse glasses are available from the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science for its solar eclipse viewing event, scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at its location in Jackson. Tickets are $10 per person; this covers the cost of eclipse glasses. Tickets are available online until 3 p.m. Friday, or sooner if sold out.

The Jackson/Hinds Library System is also planning a Watch Party or Solar Eclipse Day starting at 9 a.m. Monday at the Willie Morris Library in Jackson and at the Evelyn Taylor Majure Library in Utica; viewing glasses will be available. The Medgar Evers Library is holding a viewing party 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The Lois A. Flagg Library in Edwards will also host an Eclipse Day starting at 3:30 p.m.

For her part, Agrawal is planning to catch the eclipse – in all of its 100-percent glory. “I’m driving to Little Rock, Arkansas, in the path of totality, to view it with my children,” she said.

“It’s an awesome experience, but it can be dangerous if we’re not careful. Take simple precautions, and you’ll have a great viewing experience.”




11 comments:

Anonymous said...

If it's overcast on the 8th, you can watch it on NASA's livestream.

Anonymous said...

@4:46 I've got my eclipse shades, but thanks for the tip. I didn't think of that.

Anonymous said...

Best thing is to stare it down. Don't let it bully you.

Anonymous said...

@5:49 sage advice.

Anonymous said...

The country is falling apart. The most overrated distraction ever.

Anonymous said...

Just do what Trump did in 2017, you’ll be fine.

Anonymous said...

Nothing but clouds.

Use Protection said...

For anyone not using proper protection I'll keep an eye out for you.

Bibendum said...

Warning! Do not go to the path of the Solar Eclipse. The possibility of a rouge enemy government will launch a nuclear attack on this area is high. The concentration of people in this narrow area is an ideal target.

Cynical Sam said...

This event could even eclipse news of Jackson's crime and deterioration for a day or two.

Anonymous said...

For those who will not be able to watch the eclipse. Step outside this evening when the sun goes down. Go back inside.
Get up early in the morning and step outside.
It happens every day.


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This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

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If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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