Ways To Safely View The Solar Eclipse in Palm Beach County

JUPITER, FL – August 18, 2017 – On this coming Monday August 21, 2017 a very RARE event that hasn't taken place in 38 years will unfold - and Jupiter locals might have a chance to witness it firsthand! A total solar eclipse, which is when the moon completely covers the sun and the sun's tenuous atmosphere, is tentatively scheduled to begin around 1:30 pm and end around 4:30 pm in Palm Beach County. According to timeanddate.com, it is predicted that Palm Beach County will experience totality (when the moon completely covers the sun) at 2:57 pm.

Although this is a major event that you won't want to miss, it is important to stay safe during this time whether you'll be out on the Intracoastal, ripping waves on the Juno surf, or riding bikes down Love Street!

Here are some tips to keep safe while viewing:

Experts warn not to look directly at the sun due to burning of the retina that can leave permanent blind spots. Make sure to have protective eyewear to use that have been certified and comply with the ISO 12312-2 International Safety Standards. The glasses should be marked with that safety standard (be careful of counterfeit glasses). Homemade glasses or sunglasses will not suffice.

Unless you have safe eyewear to view the eclipse, stay indoors until 4:30 on this day.

Communicate directly with schools or coaches for team or extracurricular activities for changes in practice times and locations.

Drivers, be very cautious while on the road and in parent pick up (most schools will be closed due to this event) for distracted or affected drivers. Parents, speak to your teen drivers to make sure that they are aware of road safety on this day and to keep their eyes on the road at all times.

Here is a link to vendors who are selling the certified solar filters and viewers: https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/solar-filters.

Ideas for viewing the solar eclipse in Palm Beach County:

Rooftop parties, kayaking and paddleboarding parties, get-togethers on the beach, boating, and more are being held for this celestial event

Viewpoints such as Dubois Park, Jupiter Beaches, Anchorage Park, Peanut Island, Jupiter Sandbar, or any clearing of land or waters that do not not have objects to obstruct your view of the sky

For those who are unable to view the eclipse, NASA will have an all-day live broadcast on their website, https://www.nasa.gov

For those traveling, hotels and campgrounds along the highway of Casper, Wyoming - one of the choice viewing spots - are available to stay for the night for the 2017 Wyoming Eclipse Festival. Here is the link to the festival's site: http://eclipsecasper.com

Stay safe, have fun, keep those eyes protected, and, hopefully, witness something majestic!