Excitement is building for the solar eclipse next month — along with dread of snarled traffic, canceled or delayed flights and the dangers of donning fake eclipse glasses to view the celestial spectacle.
The solar eclipse, when the moon's shadow blots out the sun, will pass over much of the United States on April 8, meaning millions will be gazing into the sky and people will be traveling to a narrow track of the country between Texas and Maine where totality will be most visible.
Watching the eclipse without protecive glasses, or with fake ones, can cause "severe eye injury, ranging from temporarily impaired vision to permanent blindness," USA Today reported, citing the American Astronomical Society.
People are advised to buy the glasses from a trusted vendor and test them before the eclipse.
To test them for safety, the American Astronomical Society suggests trying them inside first.
"You shouldn't be able to see anything through them, except perhaps very bright lights," it says.
The next step is taking them outside on a sunny day. Only the sun's reflection should be visible.
The third stage is taking a glimpse of the sun for "less than a second."
"You should see a sharp-edged, round disk (the Sun's visible "face") that's comfortably bright," it said.
If the glasses pass all three tests, they're likely safe.
Experts also warn about the traffic jams that could occur when all of the people watching the eclipse hop in their cars and leave once the show is over - especially in those areas of the country where it will be most visible.
The Texas Department of Transportation will put up signs warning: "NO STOPPING ON HIGHWAY TO VIEW ECLIPSE" and "NO PARKING ON SHOULDER, KEEP MOVING," USA Today reported.
Highway crews in Texas are also pausing road construction and maintenance work.
The Federal Aviation Administration has said that airports in states in the path - Texas, Vermont, Maine, Canada, New Hampshire, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri - will be affected.
"Due to the high volume of traffic along the eclipse path, (airport) arrivals can expect lengthy delays during peak traffic periods," the FAA said.
"The purpose of this notice is to inform airmen of the possible impacts to air traffic and airports along the eclipse path during the period April 7, 2024, (6 a.m. EST) through April 10, 2024, (midnight EST)," the FAA said.
