The Great American Eclipse is both a once-in-a-lifetime experience and dangerous to viewers without proper protection. West Virginia University experts encourage learning about the science that predicts eclipses, and remind viewers that damage from looking directly at the sun, even while partially eclipsed, can cause potentially irreversible eye damage in less than a second.

  

Maura McLaughlin WVU Professor of Astronomy

"Even as a professional astronomer, I still find it awe-inspiring that we are able to predict such events so precisely using the same basic physics that students learn in introductory classes at WVU. It's an incredibly affirming reminder of the importance and power of science in our lives."

Contact information: [email protected]; 304.293.4812

 

Ghassan Ghorayeb, M.D. WVU Eye Institute ophthalmologist

“Every time there’s an eclipse, we’ve noticed people going blind despite the safety warnings. Our goal this year is to really get the word out so that there will be no eye injuries in West Virginia from this eclipse.”

 

Media inquiries for Dr. Ghorayeb may be made through: Sarah Wisniewski, 304.285.7270; [email protected]

                                                                                    

More about WVU and The Great American Eclipse in the WVUToday Media Center.

West Virginia University experts can provide commentary, insights and opinions on various news topics. Search for an expert by name, title, area of expertise, or college/school/department in the Experts Database at WVU Today.

-WVU- 

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