Our last set of solar eclipse sunglasses has been given away!

Next step: How to safely watch the solar eclipse.

Don’t forget to send us photos of how you made it an event…

…did you make it an event in your backyard?
…did you travel to experience solar totality?
…did you have a picnic? 

DO SHARE by sending your pics to photos@vbhil.gov. 

Thrillist.com posted NASA Scientist Dr. Michael Kirk’s expert advice!

Knowing when exactly to take your eclipse glasses off can seem like an intimidating task, but Dr. Kirk promises doing so safely is easier than you think. It’s a simple, yet very effective rule.

“If you’re way out and you don’t have a good clock or you’re not quite sure when totality happens,” Dr. Kirk says, “when you have your glasses on and the sun disappears and you can’t see anything in your glasses anymore, then [that’s when] you can take them off.”

The same rule applies to the moments right after the eclipse, too. As soon as the sun starts peaking out again, make sure to look away, and put your eclipse glasses back on. Above all, Dr. Kirk advises to trust your instincts. “If you can’t see anything through your glasses anymore, you can take them off,” he says. “If you are seeing bright sunlight, it’s time to not to look at the sun anymore.”

Dr. Kirk shares four key tips:

1. Be Mobile
2. Don’t take photos of the eclipse
3. Make it fun
4. Use all the eclipse-related NASA resources available

Follow the link for each tip elaboration A NASA Scientist’s Tips for Solar Eclipse Viewing.  or go directly to NASA’s site for 2024 total Solar Eclipse information!

#Thank you Illinois Optometric Association and State Representative Martin McLaughlin (52nd District) for the supply of solar eclipse sunglasses!