Occluded Eclipse

Clouds may make it tough to see today’s partial eclipse along the coast. But whatever you do, don’t try to view it without proper eye protection. High tides will occur tonight as well.

Watching the Solar Show

Looking at the sun, even for a few moments, can be dangerous to your eyes. During the partial phase of an eclipse viewers should never look directly at the sun, although it may appear to be dim.

* The safest way is to build a solar projector that works the same as a pinhole camera. You can make a simple one with a pinhole camera. You can make a simple one with two pieces of white cardboard. Punch a tiny hole in one and hold it so that sunlight passes through the hole and onto the second piece of cardboard. The image of the eclipse will be projected onto the second piece, and it can be enlarged simply by separating the two pieces farther.

* Welders’ goggles with a rating of 14 or higher are the best filters.

* Experts recommend against making filters with smoked glass or exposed photographic film; any inconsistencies may let dangerous unfiltered sunlight through.

Where to See It

Because of the expected cloud coverage over coastal areas, the best places to see the eclipse will be at least 10 miles inland, according to the National Weather Service. Another way to avoid the clouds is to go above the 2,500-foot level, such as at Modjeska or Santiago peaks.

Lifting the Tides

Time High Tide Today 9:28 p.m. 7.2 feet Friday 10:18 p.m. 7.0 feet Saturday 11:06 p.m. 6.5 feet

Source: National Weather Service: John Mosley, astronomer, Griffith Observatory