STILL IN THE DARK ABOUT ECLIPSE? HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
A Although television networks were pushing to have the eclipse in prime time, nature refused to cooperate. In San Jose, the eclipse will begin at 10:10 a.m., peak at 11:20 a.m. and end at 12:34 p.m.; Q What is an eclipse?; A A solar eclipse occurs when the Earth's moon moves into a position to impede the sun's rays.; Q Can I look at the sun?; A No, a thousand times no. You'll burn your retina, causing permanent damage. You shouldn't look at the sun through film negatives, a camera viewfinder or sunglasses, either. So stand under a tree and watch the shadows. Or punch a hole in a piece of paper and look downward at the shadow.; Q Where can I get those goofy eclipse eyeshades?; A Orion Telescope Center in Cupertino has sold out of the special glasses designed for viewing the eclipse safely. A few welding supply stores offer "Mylar" glasses. But some astronomers warn that there is no guarantee that even these glasses will prevent eye damage.; Q Where is the best spot to experience the eclipse?; A Contrary to popular belief, you will not get a better sense of the eclipse on a mountaintop or from your roof. The major part of the shadow will fall mostly through Mexico and Hawaii, where it will get totally dark. The Bay Area gets cheated and will see the moon block only about half the sun's diameter.; Q Can I still get to Baja or Hawaii in time?; A Most flights to Baja are booked. And it's too late to make it to Hawaii. So you're missing 2,000 golfers who will play a shadowy round there with balls that glow in the dark.; Q Can overcast skies block the eclipse?; A In most parts of the Bay Area, skies are expected to be sunny. But along the coast, the morning fog is not likely to have cleared. The eclipse will still be visible through the haze, astronomers say, and the shadows there may actually be more interesting than in sunny San Jose. Again, don't stare at the sun, even through fog.; Q Can children go outside?; A As long as they don't look at the sun.; Q Can I sunbathe in the nude during the eclipse?; A As long as you don't open your eyes.; Q When is the next major eclipse?; A In another 151 years. By then, you may be able to shuttle to the moon and watch it from there.
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