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The Great American Eclipse
Yes, that's what they are calling this total Solar Eclipse on Aug. 21, 2017.
Fancy name? Well, it is a big event indeed. It's been 99 years since a total solar eclipse crossed the country from the Pacific to the Atlantic.
It was on June 8, 1918 that such an even was witnessed. Now on Aug 21, America will fall under the path of a total solar eclipse. It will be dark skies all the way from Oregon to South Carolina, along a 70 mile stretch.
As you already know, during a solar eclipse, the moon will pass in between the sun and the Earth, appearing to block the sun.. this time for almost 90 minutes.
Whereas lunar eclipses are safe to view with the naked eye, solar eclipses are not.
Please make sure that you use one of the solar filters or solar glasses for viewing this event. A solar filter will also save your camera’s imaging sensor as well.
Such an event deserve it's very own website and yes there is one by NASA at https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov. You can get much more details and other great resources there.
Below is one such map from NASA: Great American Eclipse viewing locations across USA
Eye Safety During a Total Solar Eclipse
It is never safe to look directly at the sun's rays – even if the sun is partly obscured. When watching a partial eclipse you must wear eclipse glasses at all times if you want to face the sun, or use an alternate indirect method.
This also applies during a total eclipse up until the time when the sun is completely and totally blocked.
During the short time when the moon completely obscures the sun – known as the period of totality – it is safe to look directly at the star, but it's crucial that you know when to take off and put back on your glasses.
The only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses” or hand-held solar viewers.
Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun; they transmit thousands of times too much sunlight.
Refer to the American Astronomical Society (AAS) Reputable Vendors of Solar Filters & Viewers page for a list of manufacturers and authorized dealers of eclipse glasses and handheld solar viewers verified to be compliant with the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard for such products.
Do not look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or other optical device.
Similarly, do not look at the sun through a camera, a telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while using your eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewer — the concentrated solar rays will damage the filter and enter your eye(s), causing serious injury.
Check for local information on timing of when the total eclipse will begin and end at NASA's page of eclipse times
and read more at NASA page about Safety During a Total Solar Eclipse
Why You Shouldn’t Take a Selfie During the Solar Eclipse
“Many people will think it’s safe to take a selfie with the eclipse in the background because they aren’t looking directly at the sun,” says Tongalp Tezel, MD, a retina expert at Columbia University Medical Center. “What they may not realize is that the screen of your phone reflects the ultraviolet rays emitted during an eclipse directly toward your eye, which can result in a solar burn.”
src: why-you-shouldnt-take-a-selfie-during-the-solar-eclipse/
Why this page? Well i plan to take my camera and a few lenses along with recommended Solar Eclipse viewing glasses and filters and try to get some images.
Once done I will post those here (provided I am successful in getting a few good ones).
This is also a handy way to collect , at one place, all the relevant information and links one might need when on the road.