After reading your editorial about the eclipse (Herald, July 19), I am compelled to respond with some safety advice regarding viewing the upcoming eclipse.
The eclipse will occur on students’ first day back to school, from about 10:30 a.m. until 1:10 p.m. That gives school personnel precious little time to educate, warn and guide students through this wonderful astronomical event.
Parents, teachers and administrators must emphasize to students of all ages that they will suffer permanent eye damage if they look at the sun directly without approved eclipse glasses. The damage to the eye is not immediately felt, which lulls some into a false sense that they are not harming their vision. The other option is to look (away from the sun) at a pinhole projection of the eclipse.
The schools likely already realize that this event will be part of their very busy first day of classes.
My hope is that parents will educate and caution their children ahead of time while encouraging them to experience this rare event. Teachers cannot watch every eye on their campus from 10 until 1!
Follow this link from NASA that shows what the eclipse will look like from Durango, Cortez or any location: https://eyes.jpl.nasa.gov/eyes-on-eclipse.html.
Then get eclipse glasses for as little as $1 or make your own pinhole projector for free!
Terry Wells
Cortez
