80.65% Eclipse Viewing Party – August 21

On August 21, all of North America will be treated to an awe-inspiring sight: a solar eclipse. Here in Maryland, the moon will obscure more than 80% of the sun. Celebrate the once-in-a-lifetime eclipse viewing opportunity with MdBio’s science educators and eclipse fans. Adults and kids of all ages are invited to learn about eclipse safety, differences between a solar and lunar eclipse, and build a model to explain why eclipses happen. Participants will also collect and record temperature and climate data for NASA’s Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program.

Eclipse glasses will be provided to the first 100 registrants. Ample free parking is available.

Due to overwhelming interest, this event is now full.

To learn about other nearby events, visit https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov

Eclipse Safety

Looking directly at the sun is unsafe except during the brief total phase of a solar eclipse (“totality”), when the moon entirely blocks the sun’s bright face, which will happen only within the narrow path of totality. 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. Learn more about eclipse safety on NASA’s website.

Eclipse Activity IdeasEclipse Activity Ideas

Become a Citizen Scientist

You can be part of a national experiment to find out how cold the moon’s shadow will get during the August 21 total solar eclipse by becoming a citizen scientist with GLOBE Observer.

Your data will improve NASA’s understanding of how solar energy is absorbed and reflected in Earth’s atmosphere.

Participating is easy:

Download the GLOBE Observer app and register to participate.
Get a thermometer to be able to measure air temperature. During a total solar eclipse, the Moon blocks light from the Sun. Without sunlight, temperatures drop and weather conditions, like cloudiness, may change. The experiment will measure just how an eclipse changes weather as the shadow moves across North America.

LEARN MORE

How to Make a Pinhole Camera

You don’t need fancy glasses or equipment to watch one of the sky’s most awesome shows: a solar eclipse. With just a few simple supplies, you can make a pinhole camera that lets you watch a solar eclipse safely and easily from anywhere.

Before you get started, remember: You should never look at the sun directly without equipment that’s specifically designed for looking at the sun.

Even using binoculars or a telescope, you could severely damage your eyes or even go blind! Solar eclipses themselves are safe. But looking at anything as bright as the sun is NOT safe without proper protection. And no, sunglasses do NOT count.

Stay safe and still enjoy the sun’s stellar shows by creating your very own pinhole camera. It’s easy!

HERE’S HOW

80.65% Eclipse Viewing Party – August 21

Become a Citizen Scientist

How to Make a Pinhole Camera

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