How Seniors in Florida can watch the Aug. 21 solar eclipse
Where to See the Eclipse
For our senior science buffs in Florida, August 21, 2017 will be a day to remember. According to National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the first total solar eclipse will travel from coast-to-coast, an event that hasn’t been seen in North America in 99 years. A solar eclipse is a natural phenomenon in which the moon passes between the sun and Earth for up to three hours. The 2017 total solar eclipse will make its way through Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Florida is not in the path of totality, when the moon completely covers the sun and the sky goes dark for a few minutes, but that doesn’t mean our seniors can’t enjoy the event. South Carolina offers the closest view of the event, where many cities will host local events to view the eclipse.
Safety First
Before viewing this event, it’s important that seniors and their loved ones take special precautions when viewing. Watching the solar eclipse directly and without proper equipment can cause severe retinal damage. For seniors who already suffer from poor eyesight, this could potentially blind them completely.
According to the safety recommendations from NASA, it is IMPORTANT that you and your loved one wear special-purpose solar filters that are compliant with ISO 12312-2 international safety standard. The glasses will allow you to watch the eclipse without the possibility of eye damage. If the glasses are scratched or damaged in anyway, it should be throw away. For seniors who wear regular eyeglasses, it is recommended that you wear the solar filters over your regular eyeglasses.
Right at Home Palm Beach recommends that you speak with your doctor before participating in the event. Our office staff and caregivers can assist will making sure you have the right glasses for the event.
How to Watch from Home
Seniors who are not able to travel can also enjoy the eclipse in the comfort of their home. NASA will host an online live stream of the event through airplanes, 57 high-altitude balloons, ground telescopes, and from astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
For seniors who are not familiar with technology, our caregivers can assist with putting the live stream on TV. The 2017 solar eclipse provides a unique bonding experience for both our caregivers and clients. This will allow them to learn about the Earth, sun, and space through educational commentary from those who work at NASA.
To learn more about the solar eclipse, please contact Bruce Gropper at (561) 440-2273, or visit us at Right at Home Palm Beach at 8461 Lake Worth Road, Lake Worth, FL, 33467.
About Right at Home Palm Beach
Right at Home Palm Beach provides senior in-home care services in Boynton Beach, Greenacres, Juno Beach, Jupiter, Lake Worth, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Riviera Beach, West Palm Beach, and Wellington.
