The sun will hide from view Monday, Aug. 21, not behind clouds, but behind the moon. A total solar eclipse will cover a wide margin of the sun’s face, the first since 1979 to only be visible in the continental United States, and the first since 1918 to cover the cover the nation from coast to coast.

“It will start at 11:30, and will go until 2:30, but the best time is going to be at 1:00,” physics teacher Chris Roberts said. “About 80% of the sun is going to be blocked out at 1:00.”

Students who intend to view the eclipse should wear special protective glasses to avoid eye damage as sunglasses do not provide adequate protection.

“There’s been lots of things about fake sunglasses,” Roberts said. “They need to have an ISO certification, and you can tell that they are safe if you put them on outside and all you should be able to see is the sun, they should seem like blackout glasses, other than looking at the sun.”

Students can venture outside without any threat to their health, as they do not view the sun directly.

“There’s been a lot of bad science out there about increased radiation,” Roberts said. “There’s no other effect, other than to your eyes by looking directly at it.”