Blind individuals will have the opportunity to experience the total solar eclipse scheduled to occur on April 8, thanks to new technology developed by scientists. The LightSound box, created by blind astronomer Wanda Díaz-Merced and Harvard astronomer Allyson Bieryla, is one of the devices that will be available at public gatherings on that day to assist blind individuals in enjoying the event.
Díaz-Merced believes that if the rest of the world can witness the solar eclipse, then the blind community should be able to as well. The first prototype of the LightSound box was created in 2017 with limited accessibility. Now, scientists are working with other institutions to distribute 750 devices to locations in Mexico, the US, and Canada.
NASA has announced that a total solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8, 2024, visible across North America. The event is expected to last for a few minutes, and people are advised to follow safety precautions. With these sound and touch devices in place, blind individuals can now fully appreciate this incredible natural phenomenon.
