{"id":6591,"date":"2017-08-21T17:55:48","date_gmt":"2017-08-21T17:55:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/egretnews.com\/?p=6591"},"modified":"2017-08-21T17:57:05","modified_gmt":"2017-08-21T17:57:05","slug":"history-of-solar-eclipse-coverage-plus-where-to-find-glasses-last-minute","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/egretnews.com\/index.php\/2017\/08\/21\/history-of-solar-eclipse-coverage-plus-where-to-find-glasses-last-minute\/","title":{"rendered":"History of Solar Eclipse Coverage, Plus Where to Find Glasses Last Minute"},"content":{"rendered":"

For some of us, viewing the August 21st total solar eclipse will literally be a once in a lifetime event. Prior to today, the last total solar eclipse (visible in North America) was in 1979 \u2013 thirty eight years ago.<\/p>\n

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Scientists are warning observers to not look at the eclipse directly. A report in The Washington Post<\/em><\/a> featured two elderly men who regretted watching an eclipse that took place in 1979.<\/p>\n

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That was more than 50 years ago. Both men, now 70, say they wish they had known about the long-term harm that afternoon would do to their eyesight.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t know right that second that we damaged our eyes,\u201d Duvall said in a phone interview Sunday. \u201cAt that time, we thought we were invincible, as most teenagers do.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Wow. That\u2019s crazy, and dangerous. By staring directly at an eclipse, an extreme amount of light will strike your fovea<\/a>, the part of the eye that helps discern color and detail. The resulting chemical process could do permanent damage to that part of the eye.<\/p>\n

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Experts aren\u2019t kidding when they say staring directly at a solar eclipse can do long-term damage to your eyes.<\/p>\n

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Luckily, many businesses across America are selling certified glasses to help you look at the eclipse without harming your eyes. These glasses have sold out in recent days, but a select few stores may still have them.<\/p>\n

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If you\u2019re still looking for a place to find glasses, the following stores may have some in stock:<\/p>\n