Safety reminders for El Pasoans viewing today’s partial solar eclipse
EL PASO, TX (KVIA) -- In just a few hours, El Pasoans will witness a partial solar eclipse. Before heading out, it’s important to have the proper eye protection.
According to the American Astronomical Society, here are the guidelines you should follow:
- Eclipse glasses must meet ISO 12312-2 standards to ensure safety.
- When wearing these glasses, you should not see anything through the glasses, only the sun.
- The view should be comfortably dim, it should not feel bright or sensitive.
- Damaged glasses, including those torn, loose, scratched, or punctured, should be discarded immediately to prevent eye damage.
Francisco Carreto Parra, Lab Manager for the Department of Physics at NMSU, underscores the danger of not using the proper protection, “it's dangerous because they emit a lot of infrared radiation that can burn your retina. So unfortunately, it's the same experience that when you are driving your car and suddenly you are facing the sun in front, be very careful,” the told ABC-7.
For those in Dona Ana County, DACC Espina Campus is hosting an eclipse watch party, they will have all the necessary viewing gear.
