Do your homework to prep for the 2023 and 2024 eclipses
Make the most of these two teachable moments by planning ahead and
spreading the word

Date:
May 3, 2023
Source:
American Institute of Physics
Summary:
This year and next, Americans will have the extraordinary
opportunity to witness two solar eclipses as both will be
visible throughout the continental U.S. Both occurrences promise
to be remarkable events and teachable moments but preparation
is essential. Astronomers provide a practical playbook to help
teachers, students, and the general public prepare for the eclipse
events.


Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email

==========================================================================
FULL STORY ==========================================================================
This year and next, Americans will have the extraordinary opportunity
to witness two solar eclipses as both will be visible throughout the continental U.S. On Oct. 14, 2023, the moon will obscure all but a small annulus of the sun, producing a "ring of fire" eclipse. On April 8,
2024, the eclipse will be total in a band stretching from Texas to Maine.

Both occurrences promise to be remarkable events and teachable
moments. But preparation is essential.

In The Physics Teacher, co-published by AIP Publishing and the American Association of Physics Teachers, astronomer Douglas Duncan of the
University of Colorado provides a practical playbook to help teachers, students, and the general public prepare for the eclipse events. He also
shares ways to fundraise for schools and organizations and guidance for
safe eclipse-viewing. The Fiske Planetarium, which Duncan used to direct,
is also producing short videos about the upcoming eclipses.

"According to NASA surveys, over 100 million Americans watched the 2017
eclipse in person or via media," said Duncan. "That was when a total
eclipse crossed the U.S., with totality viewable in Wyoming, where Motel
6 rooms in the state were going for $800 a night if you didn't book far
in advance. A total eclipse is worth traveling to. It is incredible, and
people remember it their whole life." A self-described eclipse-chaser who
has himself witnessed 12 eclipses beginning in 1970, Duncan emphasizes
the importance of eye protection. He cites two companies that produce inexpensive glasses for viewing the sun and advises event organizers to
order them well in advance: Solar Eclipse Glasses and Rainbow Symphony.

Additionally, after observing spectators at previous eclipses using their phones to snap pictures, Duncan developed Solar Snap, a filter and app
to enable safe and effective smart phone photography for such events.

With small groups, Duncan suggests using binoculars to project an image
of the sun so that viewers can safely observe the spectacle transposed
onto a sheet of paper.

Duncan's paper is, above all, a rallying cry.

"Organizing, spreading the word, and planning ahead will be key to making
the most of these events," said Duncan. "If you're a student, talk to
your teachers or principal. If you're organizing a large viewing event,
think about the various logistics. Much of the onus is on us -- teachers, students, communities."
* RELATED_TOPICS
o Space_&_Time
# Sun # Solar_Flare # Astronomy # Solar_System # Big_Bang
* RELATED_TERMS
o Solar_eclipse o Eclipse o Special_relativity o Corona o
Extrasolar_planet o Radio_telescope o Definition_of_planet
o Introduction_to_quantum_mechanics

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by American_Institute_of_Physics. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Douglas Duncan. Prepare for the 2023 and 2024 Solar Eclipses! School
and
Community Events and Fundraising. The Physics Teacher, 2023; 61
(5): 334 DOI: 10.1119/5.0131185 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/05/230503154611.htm

--- up 1 year, 9 weeks, 2 days, 10 hours, 50 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)