Hello, friends!! If you, like me, live in an area where the total eclipse will be visible today, but you, like me, haven’t really prepared for said eclipse, there are a few things you can still do to enjoy it safely!
Now I know you’ve probably heard it already but I’m just going to say this again: Do not look at the solar eclipse with unprotected eyes! You shouldn’t look at it unless you have certified eclipse viewing glasses, which. If you don’t have them by now, you probably won’t get them in time.
Also? Pets should not go outside during this time. If they happen to look up, it could damage their eyes as well. Keep your furry friends indoors until the whole event is over.
But don’t worry! There are other ways to safely enjoy this natural phenomenon that don’t cost you an arm and a leg.
1.) Stand beneath a tree! I know it sounds silly, but if you stand beneath a tree and look at the shadows on the ground, you’ll be able to see the shadow of the eclipse through the leaves. It sounds weird and hard to explain. In all honesty, I’m not sure how it works. But I do intend to find out. It’s a safe alternative to looking up at the sun.
2.) Make a pinhole camera! These are quick and simple, and there are TONS of videos online that will show you what to do. All you need is a cardboard box, some aluminum foil, and a white piece of paper. It’s cheap, and it’s safe! If you point the camera at the eclipse and look inside, you’ll be able to see the eclipse projected on the white paper. (A good video on how exactly to make one of these fantastic little things is right here.)
3.) Even if you can’t see the eclipse yourself, plenty of news outlets and special websites will be live streaming it online! A video live stream definitely won’t blind you. No glasses necessary.
4.) Even if you can’t actually look up and see the eclipse, you can still contribute to what the scientific community learns from it! Purdue University is doing a study of how the event will affect wildlife all the way from Alaska to South America, and they need your help. All you have to do is download a free app on your phone and follow the instructions to contribute to a scientific study about this awesome thing!
5.) Traffic is going to be hell. If you live anywhere near the line of totality, try not to be driving during the actual eclipse (from about 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EST, but it’ll vary based on where you’re located) and make sure you’re leaving early for anywhere you do need to be just in case the roads are totally backed up.
Be safe, lovelies!! Enjoy this cool day.
