Enjoy the celestial ring this Sunday

This Sunday people in some areas of the Northwest will be able to see a partial solar eclipse. It is a beautiful sight to behold when nature creates its own sparkling ring. According to a scientific website In Southern Oregon, the sun is expected to be completely covered, producing “annularity,” as moon is smaller than the sun so moon cannot cut out the entire light from the sun as a result the Sun looks like a ring of fire.

If you are interested in seeing this wonderful phenomenon you have to be really careful. The American Optometric Association (AOA) has told everyone that they should not look directly at the eclipse. Looking at the sun with naked eyes or through photographic or X-ray film, or with sunglasses can be seriously damaging instead one can view this natural spectacle with the help of some devices especially made for this purpose. Some such things are pinhole projector, welder’s glass, or glasses made especially for solar observation.

It is said that the Sun will be 76 percent covered in Seattle. But if the sky is overcast as is a prediction for the day then the clouds can block the view of watching the solar eclipse. Meteorologist Dana Felton of the National Weather Service has forecasted that we are going to have the clouds making the 76-percent eclipse barely noticeable. Mark Folkerts, president of the Everett Astronomical Society echoed the sentiments but he said that just in case the clouds part, there is a chance that one can see the sun but he warned that looking directly at the eclipse would cause eye damage within seconds. He said a better option is to look at the crescent shadows on the ground, for instance where filtered sunlight passes between tree branches, he suggests.

If you are will to travel to get a view of this celestial event then one can go to Spokane, as here weather conditions are predicted to be better. In Spokane the Sun will be 72 percent covered at 6:19 p.m. Reports are that viewing sites are being set up in the Spokane area to provide eye-protection filters and telescopes to the public.