Monday, Missourians will experience the wonder and power of nature for the first time in 148 years when a total solar eclipse occurs throughout parts of the state. While it will be a rare and exciting experience, safety is of the utmost importance during the "magical" event.
There has been an abundance of talk about the eclipse, but what is it exactly? According to NASA, a total solar eclipse is when the sun, moon and Earth align, causing the moon to appear, from a given vantage point on the ground, to block the entire face of the sun. When that happens, it is called totality. Totality will appear in a narrow path across Earth's surface, with a partial solar eclipse visible over many surrounding miles.
During the eclipse, several changes will occur. The temperature will drop, darkness will fall, and wildlife will return to their nighttime locations.
"Those who've experienced a total solar eclipse say it was life-changing," said Laurie Cantillo, Lead Communication Specialist, Planetary Science Division of NASA. "Even a partial solar eclipse is a powerful experience. As a parent, I highly recommend that people share this experience, safely, with their children."
According to Dr. Kylie Divine, of Divine Family Eye Care, looking at the sun during an eclipse can cause permanent and irreparable damage called solar retinopathy.
"It causes damage to the retina (the inside lining of your eye) and results in a central blind spot or distortion in your vision," Divine said. "This damage to the retina is most often permanent because once the retina is damaged, there is no way to regenerate that tissue."
Divine said during a normal day, if someone stares at the sun, they will turn away when they begin to feel pain. She stressed during an eclipse, the pain element won't occur and there will be no warning before damage occurs.
"It is extremely important that everyone understand the risk involved with staring at the sun, as it can cause permanent central vision loss," she said.
Monday the path of totality will cross Missouri in a diagonal line. Poplar Bluff is south of that line and will experience a partial solar eclipse, or what will be 98.07 percent of totality at approximately 1:20 p.m. This means to local viewers, it will never look like the moon entirely covers the sun.
According to optometrist Dr. Michael Penney, no part of a partial eclipse is ever safe to view without protective eye wear.
"During a total eclipse, viewers have 1-2 minutes to look at the sun during totality. Because totality never occurs during a partial eclipse, it is never safe to look at," he said.
For folks planning to view the eclipse, Penney said special glasses are a must. However, he emphasized the glasses must be official eclipse viewing glasses.
"People should be aware the official glasses will have ISO 12312-2 printed inside. This lets you know it does live up to the correct standard," he said.
There have been reports of unofficial glasses being sold, including a batch previously available on Amazon.com, which is why Penney said to make sure the ISO number is there.
He suggests looking away from the sky to put the glasses on and again to take them off.
Penney said "there are no sunglasses that will work," including polarized sunglasses or transition lenses. He said for folks choosing to use welding goggles, shades 12-14 are safe but nothing less than a 12 will work. He also warned against looking through a camera, telescope or binocular that doesn't have the special lens required to shoot an eclipse.
Penney also emphasized the importance of protecting children during the event.
"The children don't realize how damaging it can be to sneak a look he said," he said.
Safety precautions for Monday carry over to the roadways, as well. Missouri Department of Transportation estimates 1.2 million visitors will come to the state for the Aug. 21 event.
MoDOT asks residents to avoid traveling at this time unless it is unavoidable and to prepare for extra traffic congestion. MoDOT also reminds drivers not to wear eclipse glasses or try to photograph the event while driving and said for folks to refrain from pulling onto the shoulder, and to exit the highway completely if wishing to view the eclipse.