Total Solar Eclipse
Dr. Briley Hearn
Therapeutic Optometrist
Optometric Glaucoma Specialist
ArkLaTex Eyes – Texarkana & New Boston
On Monday, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will pass over the area! A total solar eclipse happens when the moon completely blocks the sun, casting a shadow on the earth. This celestial event does not come around often. One has not passed through the continental United States since 2017 (the first since the 1970s) and will not occur again until 2044. Eclipses have been happening since the dawn of time. The oldest reliable solar eclipse record was found in modern-day Syria, and historians believe it may date as far back as 1375 B.C. Spotty records imply eclipses even further back, though those accounts are questionable. Eclipses were often seen as omens or signs from gods by ancient civilizations. It was not until many years later that they were recognized for an alignment of the sun, moon, and earth.
While the eclipse will be partially viewable from a relatively large area, a much smaller area of the country will be fully in the moon’s shadow. Millions of people are expected to travel to the areas that will be in the direct path of the eclipse, a.k.a. the path of totality. Texarkana is in this direct path for a total solar eclipse for the first time in hundreds of years! The area is expected to see a large influx of tourists, so make preparations early if you want to do anything special to commemorate the event!
N.A.S.A.’s website has a map showing the entire path of totality. The eclipse will cross directly over much of North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. It enters Texas around San Antonio and travels Northeast across the state, exiting around Texarkana. It will then pass onward into Arkansas, going through Little Rock, Conway, and Jonesboro. In Texarkana, the eclipse will begin at 12:28pm and conclude at 3:07pm, but totality will only last for 2 minutes and 24 seconds. Totality will peak at 1:48 pm. While the whole experience will be exciting, the minutes of totality will be what you do not want to miss!
This eclipse differs from the annular solar eclipse that crossed over the region in 2023. With an annular eclipse, the edges of the sun are not completely blocked out by the moon. This can happen when the sun is too close to the earth and the moon too far away in their orbits for total blockage. The region was also not in the path of totality for the annular eclipse. The effect will be much more dramatic with a total solar eclipse.
During the eclipse, avoid looking directly at the sun without special eye protection, such as eclipse glasses. This includes looking at the sun through a telescope, binoculars, or even a camera lens without a special-purpose solar filter. Eye protection can be removed during the brief minutes of totality; otherwise, it must remain on. Do not use homemade eclipse glasses, sunshades, welding shields that are lower than Shade 12 (although many people find even Shade 12 too bright for comfortable viewing), or other impromptu viewing devices. Eclipse glasses must be ISO certified for safety. ArkLaTex Eyes has eclipse glasses available at the Texarkana and New Boston offices.
You can use an indirect viewing method if you do not have eclipse glasses. One indirect viewing method is creating a pinhole projector. A pinhole projector can be easily made with just two sheets of paper. With your back towards the sun, poke a small, round pinhole into the first sheet. Position the first sheet so that the sunlight shines through the small hole onto the second sheet of paper, which will function as a screen. The farther apart the sheets of paper, the larger the eclipse image will be when projected onto the second sheet. Keep your back to the sun and watch the eclipse’s progression as the moon’s shadow is cast across the screen!
If you do look at the sun without appropriate eye protection, you may develop Solar Retinopathy. Solar Retinopathy is a condition where a part of your eye, called the retina, is burned. The retina is especially important for sight, and any damage can be detrimental to your vision. The vision loss may never fully resolve. Symptoms of Solar Retinopathy include blurry vision, distorted vision, and color vision changes. It typically affects both eyes, as most people will sun gaze with both eyes open. The symptoms will likely be more noticeable in the direct center or just adjacent to the center of your vision. If you believe you may be experiencing symptoms of Solar Retinopathy, seek immediate care with an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. This is an exciting time for our region! Everyone is encouraged to get outside to watch the eclipse, especially during the minutes of totality. However, safety is key. Talk to your eye care provider about eclipse glasses, then sit back and enjoy the show!