TOP 10 ECLIPSE DAY Things to know (please share) - Smarter Every Day 174

The totality plane is an area where you will see a total eclipse; outside this area you will see a partial eclipse.

You don't need to position yourself exactly on the mid-line of the totality plane to have a very good experience.

• Plan for traffic delays • Bring extra food • Bring extra water

Being slightly away from the mid-line is acceptable and will still provide a good viewing experience.

Download the Solar Eclipse Timer app, available for both Android and Apple devices.

• Communicates with you throughout the eclipse • Locates your position inside the totality plane • Tracks the eclipse events

Click the location button to find where you are in the totality plane, then click to ready yourself for listening to eclipse events.

Once set up, you will be prepared to track all the important timing moments of the eclipse.

C1 is when the Moon first touches the Sun, marking the beginning of the eclipse.

• C2 is when total eclipse starts, occurring about 1-1.5 hours after C1 • C3 is when total eclipse ends

C4 marks the end of the eclipse when the Moon leaves the Sun completely.

Understanding these four contact points helps you know exactly when each phase occurs and when to adjust your viewing approach.

You must have solar glasses and know how to use them properly for safe viewing.

Ensure your solar glasses are certified as Safe for Direct Solar Viewing.

The only time you can safely remove your solar glasses is between C2 and C3, when the total eclipse is occurring.

Keep your glasses on during all other phases of the eclipse to protect your eyes from direct solar radiation.

You must use a filter when taking pictures of the eclipse to protect your camera sensor.

Remove your filter approximately 20 seconds before C2 to photograph the corona during totality.

Adjust your camera settings as the light changes to capture clear images of the corona.

Have a clear plan in place for all filter and camera setting changes before eclipse day.

Shadow bands are shadow-like formations that appear on the ground just before and just after the eclipse, resembling shadow snakes.

• Lay out a white sheet to capture the shadow bands on video • Identify where North is before you start recording

Scientists don't currently know why shadow bands occur, making them a fascinating phenomenon to observe.

Documenting shadow bands provides interesting personal documentation of this little-understood eclipse phenomenon.

• Temperature will drop during the eclipse • Crickets will start chirping • Animals will exhibit unusual behavior

People around you will become very excited and engaged with the eclipse event.

Take time to watch and appreciate the environmental and behavioral changes happening around you during the eclipse.

Observing these environmental shifts enhances your overall eclipse experience beyond just watching the sky.

• The Diamond Ring • Bailey's Beads • The Corona

Photographers should focus on capturing these three distinct visual phenomena during the eclipse.

A detailed video tutorial is available that demonstrates how to photograph each of these eclipse features.

Getting quality shots of these features requires planning and adjustment of camera settings throughout the eclipse.

At maximum totality, step away from your camera and photography gear to experience the eclipse directly.

The entire 360-degree horizon around you will be colored in a remarkable display during totality.

This is the moment to simply take in the amazing visual experience and interact with your family rather than document it.

The direct experience of maximum totality is what makes the eclipse truly memorable and worth traveling to see.

Tell other people about the cool science aspects to observe during the eclipse so they can enhance their own experience.

A detailed eclipse day checklist is available at smartereveryday.com/eclipse for reference.

When people know what to look for scientifically, their eclipse experience becomes significantly more awesome and meaningful.

Please share this video with anyone planning to watch the eclipse, as it will substantially enhance their experience.