Eclipse Resources For Parents and Teachers

I’m sure you’re excited to see the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024. I’ve compiled some useful resources for teachers and parents to teach their kids about the eclipse and how to view it safely.

For Teachers

Canva

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The free design website Canva has a series of free videos, pictures, and presentation templates that you can use to teach your class. go to Canva.com to get started.

Web

How To View the Eclipse Safely (Reprinted from National Parks.gov):

https://www.nps.gov/articles/eclipsesafety.htm

Remember: It is never safe to look at the sun without solar filters, like eclipse glasses or solar viewers. The only safe time to look at the sun without solar filters is during the 2-4 minutes of total eclipse, depending on your location in the path of totality.

Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun.

Solar filters should have:

• An ISO 12312-2:2015 certification
• The manufacturer’s name and address printed somewhere on the product

Do not use solar filters that are:

• Missing ISO certification information
• Torn, scratched, or have wrinkled lenses
• Coming loose from their frames

Planning Ahead

On the day of the eclipse, parks in the viewing path may be very busy. If you decide to view the eclipse in a park, be sure to plan ahead.

1. Visit your park or community’s website to get the latest trip planning information
2. Expect heavy traffic and long waits on roadways
3. Consider carpooling to reduce the number of vehicles on the road
4. Bring plenty of food and water

Other Sources

1. https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/ 
2. https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/solar/2024-april-8 
3. https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/12637 
4. https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/eclipse-snap/en

Videos

National Geographic: Eclipse 101

Crash Course Astronomy: Eclipses

Scishow Kids: Get Ready For the Eclipse

I’ll be sending more pictures when I go to see the eclipse myself! STAY TUNED!

Diamonds on Mercury?

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mercurys-cratered-crust-may-hold-glittering-gemstones-180979816/

New Page! TW Hydrae- It’s a Planet

Today was a new discovery in an all new area of astronomy! I’ve posted within the “Today In Space History” page a little entry about a new object developing within the constellation Hydra, which might lead to the birth of brand new planets! If you choose to read it, you’ll learn about how planets are formed, and how astronomers are studying this groundbreaking discovery!