We broke most of this down last week, but first a quick refresher: In the early afternoon today, about 75 percent of a full solar eclipse will be visible from Dallas. Things get going shortly before noon, peak right after 1 p.m., and conclude after 2:30.
Do not stare at the sun without NASA-approved glasses or a homemade viewer, because you will do irreparable damage to your eyes. But if you have failed to obtain or make an appropriate device, there’s still hope in the form of a number of viewing parties where, at the very least, some kind soul will probably let you borrow theirs. (Most of these viewing parties are also handing out glasses, although supplies are limited.)
We’ve already told you about such free viewing parties at the Perot Museum, the Frontiers of Flight Museum at Love Field, and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. We have since learned that limited supplies of free eclipse glasses are also being distributed at viewing parties at several Dallas Public Library locations, including the central hub downtown, and the branches in North Oak Cliff, Audelia Road, White Rock Hills, and Polk-Wisdom.
At SMU, the eggheads in the physics department are smartly placing some mirrors to project the eclipse on the rotunda of Dallas Hall, the historic building on the north side of campus.
And you’ve still got about two hours to make your own viewing contraption:
Take a long lunch to (safely, with proper eye protection) see what’s happening above us. Tell your boss D Magazine said it was OK.
