VOA常速英语:国家航天航空博物馆外准备观看日全食

It’s a celestial dance that is making Americans excited with anticipation.“I’ve been getting ready for this for more than a year and I’m really excited for August 21st.”National Air and Space Museum astronomy educator Genevieve de Messieres calls this month’s solar eclipse an amazing phenomenon.She says this one is even more special because it will stretch from one coast of the United States to the other. That hasn’t happened in 99 years.

But only a narrow strip of the country more than 110 kilometers wide through 14 states will experience a total eclipse in which the sun will be completely obscured by the moon.The rest of the country will see a partial eclipse, here in Washington D.C., people will see about 80 percent of totality.

But the museum is setting up viewing locations to enhance this experience.“We have special presentations and activities for example crafts that you can do to have a personalized view of the eclipse.And we’ll have safe solar telescopes set up.For those who can’t make it to the telescope locations,the museum is handing out solar glasses and offering detailed instructions for safe using.“In order to safely use the glasses, all you to do is put them on and look at the sun.But what’s really important is that when you are done, you should look down before you take the glasses away.Otherwise you are looking right at the sun and it will hurt your eyes.”

The museum website includes guidelines on how to watch the eclipse safely without special glasses or a telescope,such as punching holes in a piece of paper which can be used to reflect the changing image of the sun as it is slowly covered by the moon.

Thousands of people are expected to visit the museum’s public observatory on August 21st to watch nature’s show as the earth, moon and sun are aligned with moon coming between the sun and the earth.

Ardita Dunellari, VOA News, Washington.