How Not to Go Blind During the Solar Eclipse: Free Advice Friday

On this weeks Free Advice Friday we urge you not to stare directly into the sun during Monday's solar eclipse and offer up a few alternatives to properly watch it go down.

This Monday, August 21st, 2017 a total solar eclipse will be visible in totality within a band across the entire contiguous United States. This is a phenomenon that generally only happens once in a lifetime!

So naturally a lot of people across the Capital Region and across the country are excited to see it unfold. However, you can't just walk outside and stare up into the sky for a couple hours because you could go blind. Looking directly at the sun at any point in time can literally burn your retina.

Experts recommend that you use special solar glasses if you want to look at the eclipse directly. However, most local retailers here in the Capital Region seem to be SOLD OUT of the spectacles and online retailers have been jacking up the price or are on back order with the glasses not expected to arrive until after the eclipse goes down.

If you can't get your hands on a pair of specs don't worry, all hope is not lost. There is an alternative way to watch the eclipse that we will demonstrate for you on this weeks Free Advice Friday!