On ‘Radio Times:’ Author of ‘American Eclipse’ examines the scientific frenzy of 1878

People in the Delaware Valley will have a chance to see a solar eclipse this summer. On August 21, a total solar eclipse will pass, coast to coast, across the entire country. 

On Thursday’s Radio Times, science journalist and author David Baron gave us a preview of this summer’s spectacle and gave host Mary Cummings-Jordan tips on how to safely view the coming eclipse.

Baron explained, “it is never safe to look at the surface of the sun, even when the moon is covering most of it.”  So in the Philadelphia region, viewers will need to get a pair of inexpensive eclipse glasses.

A solar eclipse is happening this summer, and Pennsylvanians will get a glimpse. On today’s Radio Times @dhbaron told us how best to view it pic.twitter.com/x2RGSEWpTH

— Radio Times (@whyyradiotimes) June 15, 2017

Baron’s new book is “American Eclipse: The Epic Race to Catch the Shadow of the Moon and Win the Glory of the World” about the 1878 solar eclipse that passed over the United States and created a scientific frenzy. Astronomers and naturalists flocked to the frontier West for a chance to glimpse the darkening skies and the Solar corona.

The young Thomas Edison was there, testing out one of his inventions, the tasimeter. The pioneering astronomer, Maria Mitchell traveled across country with a band of female students making the case for women in science.

For the best spots in the country for eclipse viewing, checkout NASA’s website. Beware though, hotels in some of the top spots have been booked for years.  David Baron made his reservation in Jackson Hole three years ago.

To hear more, listen to the full interview on Radio Times.