Are You Ready for the Solar Eclipse?

Here are the top five things you need to do to prepare for the solar eclipse which will be visible in Rexburg this August.

1. Get Eclipse Glasses

Looking at the sun for a long period of time can damage your eyes. When you view the eclipse, you will need eclipse glasses. Eclipse glasses should have a filter to look through. If the glasses aren’t labeled ISO, they won’t protect your eyes the way they should, according to Space.com.

Places to find eclipse glasses include solarglasses2017.com, BYU-Idaho bookstore, and other grocery stores.

2. Find a Good Location

Free areas you can view the eclipse are Porter Park, Evergreen Park, Madison Middle School, Riverside Park, Madison Junior High, Nature Park, and Smith Park, according to Rexburg Online.  

3. Remember the Date and Time

The eclipse will happen August 21, at 11:33 AM. Here in Rexburg, it will only last 2 minutes and 17 seconds! Make sure you don’t miss it.

4. Invite Friends and Family

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Though total eclipses can happen every few years or so, the next total eclipse over our country will be on April 8, 2024, according to timeanddate.com.

Be sure to invite your friends and family for this wonderful experience!

This is a time you won’t want to forget so one idea is to take pictures, but you need to be careful as you do so. Camera phones are not equipped for taking pictures of solar eclipses and will still damage your eyes through the lens. For taking pictures, make sure your camera has an eclipse filter, is stabilized, and that you give it a break so it does not overheat, according to timeanddate.com.

5. Prepare for other activities

Many people are coming to Rexburg for the eclipse. One way to prepare for such a crowd is to buy groceries in advance. Here at Madison Memorial Hospital, we recommend purchasing two weeks of food in advance of the eclipse, as others will be buying a great deal once they arrive.

Many vendors will have stations throughout Rexburg on the day of the eclipse. After or before the eclipse, feel free to walk around and help these local business flourish.

Also, the BYU-Idaho Manwaring Center has a buffet throughout the entire day in the Crossroads dining area. Price for the buffet is $7.99 plus tax, according to rexburgeclipse.com.

Have a great solar eclipse experience on August 21 and stay safe!