Total Eclipse: A Sight for Safe Eyes
Gene Zajac, NASA Ambassador, total eclipse specialist, and former island resident, brought enthusiastic energy and carefully detailed information to the Put-in-Bay Community today, as part of a special presentation sponsored by the Erie Islands Library and Put-in-Bay School.
Using scale models to depict stellar distances, Mr. Zajac involved students to illustrate planetary motion, sun and moon cycles, and the unique effects one can witness when the moon’s path crosses the solar ecliptic. Mr. Zajac stressed the very particular importance of safe-viewing during an eclipse, and he displayed several methods for doing so–including how to use a box camera, to rely on specially coded mylar glasses (ISO 12312-2 international standard), and to practice safe photography.
In closing, Mr. Zajac gave the audience ample opportunity to ask questions and he provided free stickers, eclipse images, and planetary trading cards. Everyone in attendance was thrilled to have Gene and his wife, Pam, back on South Bass Island.
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