Hawaii Gets Best Seats for Solar Eclipse

We’re getting our first solar eclipse for 2013, and Hawaii is the only state in the U.S. able to view this cosmic event.

Astronomers predict the eclipse to start in Honolulu tomorrow (Thursday) at 2:23 p.m., with the deepest moment in the eclipse at 3:48 p.m. Half of the sun will be covered by the moon at that very moment. By 5:01 p.m. in Honolulu, the eclipse will be over. Times vary by a few minutes from island-to-island.

While cosmic events are always exciting, be sure to keep in mind safe viewing. Astronomers warn that improper viewing of an eclipse can cause severe and permanent eye damage. Because you won’t feel any pain to the retina of your eye, you won’t notice damages until it’s too late.

Avoid homemade filters, like smoked glass or exposed colored film. The Bishop Museum will be selling $2 solar filters, in addition to having special eclipse events at the museum’s planetarium. The planetarium itself just underwent a $1.5-million renovation that enabled it to step into the 21st-century. Can you say, good timing?!

Posted by: Bruce Fisher on May 8, 2013