Augusta County, VA, will experience a partial solar eclipse as it passes over North America on April 8, 2024. This will be a regular school day for Augusta County Public Schools. Schools will operate as usual during the solar eclipse on that day.
Augusta County, VA Eclipse Information:
Eclipse Type: Partial Solar Eclipse
Eclipse Start: Beginning at 2:00 PM EDT
Peak Eclipse: Reaching maximum coverage at 3:17 PM EDT
Eclipse End: Ending at 4:30 PM EDT
Duration: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes
Safety and Viewing Guidelines for Solar Eclipse Observation:
Priority on Safety: Our primary focus is ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.
Eclipse Glasses: All students PK-12 will receive eclipse glasses that meet ISO 12312-2 standards recommended by NASA for safe viewing.
Precautions: Directly looking at the sun can cause eye damage, so eclipse glasses must be worn anytime you are looking at the sun during the April 8, 2024, solar eclipse.
Sunglasses Not Suitable: Regular sunglasses, even very dark ones, are unsafe for viewing the sun.
Prescription Glasses: Those wearing prescription glasses can wear solar-viewing glasses over them for safe viewing.
Practice Safe Viewing: Demonstrate and reinforce using approved solar viewing glasses for safe observation.
Educational Opportunities: The solar eclipse presents a unique educational opportunity. Schools may organize special viewing events and/or integrate eclipse-related educational content in science classes. Viewing opportunities before dismissal will vary by school, depending on dismissal times and other school schedule factors.
If your child’s school is planning a viewing opportunity during the school day, you will receive information regarding that event and a parent permission form for your student to participate.
The Family Handout Guide to Eclipse contains information about the eclipse, safety viewing guidelines, and ways to observe the eclipse safely. The following resources provide additional information and support regarding the 2024 Solar Eclipse: