The Solar Eclipse is quickly approaching — coming up on Monday, April 8 — and staff of the Logan County Health District want area residents to be safe and prepared for during this natural phenomenon.
A Total Solar Eclipse occurs when the moon completely blocks the sun and day momentarily turns to night. The only safe way to look directly at the sun during the eclipse is through special solar filters, like eclipse glasses.
Next week, the Logan County Health District at 310 S. Main St., Bellefontaine, offers free eclipse glasses, as supplies last, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, April 1, through Thursday April 4, in the health district conference room.
On April 8, this special event will darken the skies across a 124 mile stretch of Ohio, marking it a once in a lifetime experience for everyone in its path.
Logan County is within the Path of Totality — an area where viewers get the amazing experience of the sun completely hidden by the moon. Totality will begin at 3:10 p.m. EST in Bellefontaine.
People often plan and travel to the right spot for the best view, so large crowds are expected.
Many visitors will be coming to Logan County for the eclipse. More than double the usual Logan County population is expected to be in the area on the day of the eclipse, county officials note. Schools in the county will not be in session.
A 2017 eclipse in the United States had more than 215 million people view the event.
Potential Impact to Local Infrastructure includes heavy traffic, with traffic jams potentially lasting several hours after the eclipse.
Residents are urged to fill up their gas tank at least one day before the eclipse and to limit travel on the day of the event, if possible.
Begin the day with a fully charged mobile phone as well. Keep cash on you in case credit card services are slow.
Cell phone service may become overwhelmed leading to slow connections.
Text (618)589-1337 to receive Logan County Eclipse information and alerts.
Safety Tips/Dos and Don’ts during the Eclipse:
• Only look at the eclipse through a special purpose solar filter.
• Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are unsafe.
• Inspect your solar filter; discard it if it is scratched or damaged.
• Always supervise children using solar filters.
• Stand still, cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses before looking at the sun.
• Do not look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars or other optical device.
• Do not look at the sun through a camera, telescope, binoculars or any other optical device while using your solar eclipse glasses or hand-held device.
Logan County Health District staff sport Solar Eclipse T-shirts and glasses this week. Pictured are: Megan Bailey, Faith Hoffer, Amie Burkhammer, Arie Pequignot, Jenni Mitchell, Matt Stonerock, Robin Connolly, Chandler Wren, Cara Gaines, Sandy Beck, Christy Couch, Isaac Fouts, Christina Bramlage, Heather Kean, Mollie Grubbs, Sarah Robson. Free eclipse glasses will be given away at the health district from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, April 1, through Thursday April 4. (EXAMINER PHOTO | HOLLIE HUBBARD)