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Solar Eclipse Viewing Safe Only Through Proper Lens

DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty Images
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State Impact Texas, NPR

  A partial solar eclipse is expected to darken the skies of North America Oct. 23 as the moon crosses between the Earth and the sun.

Although the sun will not be completely covered by the moon, the event still promises to be a dramatic experience.

Skywatchers in San Antonio are invited to join the San Antonio League of Sidewalk Astronomers for a safe-viewing of the event.

SALSA will set up telescopes at the dog park in McAllister Park so the public can safely see the eclipse, because gazing at the sun without appropriate filters could injure the eye and can cause temporary or even permanent damage to vision. Sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing a solar eclipse.

The SALSA telescopes are offered to the public free-of-charge for the view event. It’s scheduled to begin a 5 p.m. Thursday afternoon.

Eileen Pace is a veteran radio and print journalist with a long history of investigative and feature reporting in San Antonio and Houston, earning more than 50 awards for investigative reporting, documentaries, long-form series, features, sports stories, outstanding anchoring and best use of sound.