Residents in the south and southwest suburbs are preparing for the total solar eclipse that will cross North America on Monday.
A total eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, completely blocking the sun. When that happens, the sky will darken and it will feel like it is dusk or dawn, according to NASA.
While Chicago and its suburbs won’t be in the path of totality, or where the moon completely covers the sun, Carbondale will experience the total eclipse at 1:59 p.m., with a partial eclipse beginning at 12:42 p.m., according to NASA.
People observing the eclipse from outside the path of totality will see a partial eclipse, where the moon covers most of the sun.
Sam Forzley, an optometrist at the Forzley Eye Clinic in Lemont, said anyone who wants to look at the eclipse should wear specialized glasses that protect the eyes from the more intense rays of light.
Forzley said he’s been treating a patient who lost some of his vision after looking at the sun during an eclipse before moving to Illinois. The patient looked into the eclipse and a ray of sunlight burned his retina, Forzley said.
“He does not have 20/20 vision,” he said. “It’s nothing to take lightly.”
Solar eclipse glasses have special filters to protect the eyes, Forzley said.
“You should not use sunglasses or tinted glasses. They don’t have the protection that the eclipse glasses would have for viewing,” he said. “I would strongly encourage everyone to just leave them on during the whole process.”
Forzley, who is also the president of the Illinois Optometric Association, said the association gave about 30,000 solar eclipse glasses to state legislators so they could hand them out to their constituents.
State Rep. Nicole La Ha, R-Homer Glen, said residents can pick up solar eclipse glasses from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday from her district office, 106 Stephen St., Suite 102 B, in Lemont.
“Experiencing a solar eclipse is a rare and awe-inspiring event,” La Ha said in a statement. “However, it’s important that we do it safely. I’m grateful for this partnership with the Illinois Optometric Association, allowing us to provide these eclipse glasses to our community.”
Area eclipse events
Prairie State College’s library and natural sciences department and STEM Club will host an eclipse viewing event from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday in the Conference Center, Room 1315, and the Scholar’s Garden.
Attendees can make pinhole projectors and learn about research by the STEM Club students. The event is open to the public.
The Midlothian Public Library said it will host a viewing party outside the library at 14701 Kenton Ave., during the eclipse. Eclipse glasses will be available for those who come.
Library staff will also hand out eclipse glasses starting at 10 a.m. Friday. A set of four pairs of glasses will be available per family and will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the news release.
State Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, will hold a solar eclipse watch party and senior ice cream social from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday at the South Chicago Heights Senior Center, 3140 Enterprise Park Ave., South Chicago Heights.
Will County Forest Preserves plan a solar eclipse viewing party from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday at Hickory Creek Preserve, at the LaPorte Road Access at the Hickory Hollow Shelter, and at Whalon Lake.
The first 50 attendees at both Will County Forest Preserves events will receive free viewing glasses. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets for the viewing.
Arcadia School in Olympia Fields students will view the eclipse, trace shadows from the eclipse with chalk, create temperature graphs and perform eclipse soundscapes, according to spokeswoman Monica Fountain.
Throughout the event, the students will listen to songs such as “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers, “Here Comes the Sun,” by The Beatles and “Fly Me to the Moon,” by Frank Sinatra, Fountain said.
Matteson Elementary School District 162 bought 4,000 solar eclipse glasses for students and staff, Fountain said.
Lockport Township High School District 205 math and science teachers have prepared lessons related to the eclipse, said district spokeswoman Janine Wheeler. Weather permitting, students may have the opportunity to observe the eclipse, she said.
The three District 230 high schools — Carl Sandburg in Orland Park, Andrew in Tinley Park and Stagg in Palos Hills — plan a sort of viewing experience for students, according to a district news release. Faculty have been sent resources and videos about the eclipse to incorporate the event into lessons.
Andrew High School will allow students to view the eclipse during their final two periods of the day, so from 1:16 p.m. to 3 p.m., according to the release.
akukulka@chicagotribune.com
