#MiddleburyCT #SolarEclipse
By MARJORIE NEEDHAM
Image by AstroGraphix Visuals from Pixabay.
NASA said in a February press release, that a total solar eclipse will cross North America on Monday, April 8, giving people in 15 states the opportunity to see the Moon completely block the Sun, revealing the Sun’s star’s relatively faint corona.
“This year’s total solar eclipse will be at least partially visible to all in the contiguous United States, making it the most accessible eclipse this nation has experienced in this generation,” said Nicola Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “There is space for everyone to join NASA in experiencing this beautiful amalgamation of our Earth, Sun and Moon in an alignment that will not only lead to new scientific discoveries, but an incredible shared moment of inspiration and awe.”
The total solar eclipse will be visible along a narrow band stretching from Texas to Maine in the United States. Outside of this path, people in all 48 contiguous U.S. states will have the opportunity to see a partial eclipse, when the Moon covers only part of the Sun. Learn how to safely view this celestial event on NASA’s eclipse website, go.nasa.gov/Eclipse2024.
On that website, NASA warns it is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing. In addition, it says, “Viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.”
To avoid permanent vision damageSolar eclipse glasses are needed for direct viewing of the eclipse. While they may be purchased, free glasses are being offered by the Middlebury Public Library and Woodbury Public Library while supplies last. Glasses are courtesy of The Star Library Network.
Drop by the Middlebury Library to pick up glasses. The Woodbury Library asks you to reserve them online at www.woodburylibraryct.org or by calling 203-263-3502 (limit of 6 per family, while supplies last).
The Woodbury Library noted after the total solar eclipse on April 8, the next total solar eclipse that can be seen from the contiguous United States will be on August 23, 2044.
While Middlebury is not in the eclipse’s path of totality, the sun will have 91.9 percent coverage at 3:26 p.m. This will cause the sky to darken as if the sun were setting. Always use eclipse glasses while looking at the sky to protect your eyes.
As part of its eclipse celebration, the Middlebury Library will hold an Eclipse Scavenger Hunt Saturday, April 6. Children ages 2 to 10 can drop in between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to look for the hidden eclipses around the Children’s Area. Find them all and win a prize!
Monday, April 8, the Middlebury Library will show NASA’s live broadcast of the eclipse in the Larkin Room from 1 to 4 p.m. For additional information, call 203-758-2634.
NASA will host live coverage of the eclipse on NASA+, the agency’s website, and the NASA app from 1 to 4 p.m. EDT on April 8. NASA also will stream the broadcast live on its Facebook, X, YouTube, and Twitch social media accounts, as well as a telescope-only feed of eclipse views on the NASA TV media channel and YouTube.
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