VANGUARD
[…] As the United States, Canada, and Mexico prepare for the solar eclipse, there are precautions for the people who will experience it including Nigerians residing in these North American countries.
A report said, “The Monday, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The total solar eclipse will begin over the South Pacific Ocean.
“Weather permitting, the first location in continental North America that will experience totality is Mexico’s Pacific coast at around 11:07 a.m. PDT. The path of the eclipse continues from Mexico, entering the United States in Texas, and traveling through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
“Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan will also experience the total solar eclipse. The eclipse will enter Canada in Southern Ontario, and continue through Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Cape Breton. The eclipse will exit continental North America on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland, Canada, at 5:16 p.m. NDT.”
Meanwhile, below are the things to do and not do during an eclipse in the US, Canada, and Mexico:
Use eye protection
Staring directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, can cause permanent eye damage. People to experience it are advised to use specially designed solar viewing glasses or handheld solar viewers to protect their eyes from harmful rays.
Take care of your pets
While humans now have access to abundant information, animals may become confused or agitated during an eclipse due to the sudden change in light. So, Nigerians in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, are enjoined to keep their pets indoors or in a secure location to prevent them from harming themselves or running away.
Take photographs with safety
If you have decided to capture the eclipse with your camera or your smartphone, make sure to take proper precautions with that too. Make sure you have a solar filter to protect your device’s lens and your eyes. Never look directly at the sun through a camera or binoculars without appropriate filters.
