While in Haiti all are preparing for the solar eclipse that will take place on Monday 21 August, it is the Haitian diaspora that will have the privilege before Haiti, to attend this rare astronomical event. The Haitian community of Atlanta will be particularly privileged, as it will be able to witness an eclipse where 97.15% of the sun will be covered by the moon.

According to the NASA this solar eclipse will be seen by about 300 million people. The whole continent of the Americas according to their geographical positions, will see the total or partial eclipse, which will last in total between 2 and 3 hours. The total eclipse can be observed for 2 minutes and 40 seconds.

Eclipse observation schedule for different American Cities :

• Chicago the eclipse will begin to 11:54:19 a.m. and will reach its maximum to 1:19:47 p.m. to end to 2:42:37 p.m. ;

• Atlanta the eclipse will begin to 1:05:49 p.m. and will reach its maximum to 2:36:43 p.m. to end to 4:01:49 p.m. à Atlanta le soleil sera couvert à 97.15% par la lune ;

• Washington the eclipse will begin to 1:17:52 p.m. and will reach its maximum to 2:42:46 p.m. to end to 4:01:35 p.m. ;

• Orlando the eclipse will begin to 1:19:27 p.m. and will reach its maximum to 2:51:13 p.m. to end to 4:14:54 p.m. ;

• New York the eclipse will begin to 1:23:15 p.m. and will reach its maximum to 2:44:56 p.m. to end to 4:00:42 p.m. ;

• Miami the eclipse will begin to 1:26:56 p.m. and will reach its maximum to 2:58:22 p.m. to end to 4:20:45 p.m. ;

• Boston the eclipse will begin to 1:28:29 p.m. and will reach its maximum to 2:46:48 p.m. to end to 3:59:28 p.m.

In Canada, in Montreal the eclipse will begin to 1:21:54 p.m. and reach its maximum to 2:38:24 p.m. to finish to 3:50:23 p.m.

Precautionary measures to be taken :

It is necessary to take precautions, the sun never having to be seen directly with eyes unprotected, the observation of an eclipse of the sun can cause severe and irreversible eye damage it takes only a few minutes to cause irreversible damage to the eye, although it may take a few hours before it occurs on the person. Note that the eyes of children under the age of 12 because of a still very transparent lens have eyes much more sensitive than those of adults which multiplies the risk of serious lesions.

It is necessary to have special glasses eclipse certified ISO 12312-2 able to stop 100% of the ultraviolet and infrared rays. If you kept glasses dating from the last eclipse especially do not reuse them. They are for single use because the rays damage their coating.

Sun glasses do not offer adequate protection and should not be used. Do not use alternative eye protection such as: blackened glass, X-ray films, a CD or other optical instruments without special filters, that will not protect your eyes because they are ineffective.

Even equipped with special eclipse glasses, take breaks between the observation phases to allow your eyes to rest. Children should not be left unattended while observing the phenomenon.

Solar eclipse, schedules in Haiti and precautionary measures : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21858-haiti-flash-solar-eclipse-schedules-in-haiti-and-precautionary-measures.html

HL/ HaitiLibre