What to wear for a Long Island Solar Eclipse

It’s not what you think

Solar eclipse 2024 On April 8, 31 million residents in 15 U.S. states will be treated to an event as old as the planet when a solar eclipse will cut across a good portion of the country. (Dimas Rachmatsyah/Getty Images)

By Al Levine

From Texas to Maine a Solar Eclipse is coming! Here on Long Island the moon will pass directly in front of the sun between 2:12 and 4:37 p.m. On Monday April 8th. From our vantage, we won’t be able to see a total eclipse. Approximately 90% of the sun will be blocked here.

New technology can help blind people hear, feel solar eclipse (1001slide/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Experts caution us not to look directly at this event with the naked eye as it could be blinding. You might think that wearing sunglasses would be acceptable, but they are not intended to be used when staring straight at the sun.

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 27: The crowd is reflect in sun glasses as thousands of people gather to support gay rights by celebrating during the Gay Pride Parade on June 27, 2015 in Paris, France. Yesterday the United States Supreme Court legalized gay marriage across the nation further adding to celebrations of gay pride across the world. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)

There are such things as Solar Eclipse glasses that are thousands of times darker than regular sunglasses. The correct ones to wear comply with an ISO 12312-2 International Standard. Another website to investigate your options on what to wear can be found at greatamericaneclipse.com

Solar eclipse 2024 On April 8, 31 million residents in 15 U.S. states will be treated to an event as old as the planet when a solar eclipse will cut across a good portion of the country. (Dimas Rachmatsyah/Getty Images)

Newsday.com reports that several stores across Long Island are selling these special glasses and that you may be able to find some for free at the Long Island Welcome Center of the Long Island Expressway at Dix Hills. Until then, never stare at the sun but be happy we have one!

Shatner to space The sun is seen rising over the area of the Blue Origin launch site near Van Horn, Texas, Tuesday Oct. 12, 2021. Today's launch has been pushed to Wednesday due to weather. (AP Photo/LM Otero) (LM Otero/AP)