Laatsch speaks with WVII about how to safely view eclipse
Shawn Laatsch, director of the Emera Astronomy Center and Maynard F. Jordan Planetarium at the University of Maine, spoke with WVII (Channel 7) for a report about how to safely view the solar eclipse on Aug. 21. “The sun is no more powerful on the day of an eclipse than any other day of the year,” Laatsch said. “It’s just that people want to see what’s happening because as the moon starts to cover the sun, the sky starts to change some.” The only safe way to directly view an eclipse is with a pair of solar-filtering glasses with an ISO level of 12312-2, WVII reported. Any other eyewear could cause permanent, irreversible damage, the report states. “There have been some online sources that haven’t been reputable,” Laatsch said. “Normally (the glasses) will have a stamp on the inside that will tell you the ISO level.” Laatsch also spoke with WABI (Channel 5) and The Maine Edge about the upcoming eclipse.