Sunday's Solar Eclipse [PHOTOS]

By ModernMom Staff on May 19, 2012

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Calling all astronomy lovers!

There's a rare annular solar eclipse taking place Sunday evening - the first one visible from the United States since 1994.

Late in the day, the moon will slide across the sun, blocking the light and creating a blazing halo known as a "Ring of Fire."

How to Watch?

It will be visible in the western United States in a 150 mile wide strip that runs from Oregon to Texas, as well as in eastern Asia. If you can't see the eclipse from your area, you can log online to sites like the Slooh Space Camera, which plans to broadcast the event live.

Solar Eclipse Safety

But if you're watching in person, be careful! Scientists are very clear in their warnings not to look directly at the eclipse without proper protection as it can cause permanent eye damage or blindness.

"I cannot overstate this, there are people who just don't pay heed to this, or who get bad information. They can really go blind and I just want to help them avoid that," Sacramento City College Astronomy Professor Liam McDaid told News 10.

To keep your eyes safe, wear specially made protective glasses (they can be bought online). NASA recommends using welder's glasses with a number 14 filter to view the eclipse or other filters made specifically for solar observation. And remember, sunglasses do not provide appropriate protection, even if you wear multiple pairs.

Make Your Own Eclipse Viewer

If you don't want to buy special glasses, you can view the eclipse safely by using binoculars and telescopes to project an image of it on the ground. Just point the binoculars or telescopes at the sun -- without looking through the lenses -- and aim the other end onto a piece of paper or cardboard.

Another way to watch is by making a pinhole projector with a long box, a piece of aluminum foil, a pin, and a sheet of white paper. You can find step by step instructions here.

Did your family watch the eclipse? Check out some photos below!