The long awaited solar eclipse is coming on Monday August 21st. The last time a total solar eclipse occurred was 40 years ago. There are so many great solar eclipse viewing opportunities right in your local community. Though the view will not be that of a total solar eclipse, the partial eclipse we will see is not to be missed. Join the fun below:
Free Total Solar Eclipse Day Viewing at the Monrovia Public Library
Come to the library to view the eclipse from Library Park. Wear your special glasses to see the moon completely cover the sun at 9:48 AM. There will be snacks and craft activities as well after the viewing.
Free Solar Eclipse Glasses at Pasadena Libraries
285 E Walnut St, Pasadena, Sat., Aug 19- Aug 21, 2017
Cost: Free
Free solar eclipse glasses are given out at each branch location of the Pasadena Libraries on these days. Available while supplies last, limit 2 per person. You must go to the location to receive the free glasses.
Rocket Fever 2017, Columbia Memorial Space Center, Downey
When: Saturday, August 19th
Cost: 4 y.o. and older - $5, Under 3 y.o.- Free
Total Eclipse Story time, South El Monte Library, South El Monte
Come join the South El Monte Library for a special eclipse storytime, complete with stories, information, art activity, and the passing out of special solar eclipse viewing glasses.
When: Saturday, August 19th
Cost: Free
Solar Eclipse Festival Days, California Science Center, Los Angeles
The California Science Center is hosting a two-day Solar Eclipse Festival on Saturday and Sunday on top of their viewing party on Monday. This festival will feature hands-on activities and info about how to prepare to safely view the eclipse on Monday.
When: Saturday, August 19th & Sunday, August 20th
Cost: Free (donations appreciated)
Total Solar Eclipse: Community Event, Montebello Library, Montebello
An educator from NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory will be present to provide safe viewing glasses and answer questions. Handouts and educational materials will be included.
Cost: Free
Eclipse Mania at CSUF, Cal State Fullerton, Fullerton
This event will be held on the lawn on the south side of Dan Black Hall, off Nutwood Avenue. Telescopes with special viewing filters will be available along with protective glasses made for solar viewing. Also, physicist will be available to answer questions.
Cost: Free
Solar Eclipse, California Science Center, Los Angeles
Science Center experts and representatives from Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) will be available to answer questions. Safe solar viewing tools will be on hand for use.
Cost: Free (donations appreciated)
Watch the Solar Eclipse, San Gabriel Library, San Gabriel
The viewing party will start with a short documentary followed by viewing of the magnificent eclipse. Safety glasses will be provided.
Cost: Free
Solar Eclipse Viewing, Temple City Library, Temple City
Come enjoy some chocolate chip cookies and learn the science behind the solar eclipse. Viewing glasses will be provided.
Cost: Free
Partial Solar Eclipse! Public Viewing Event, Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles
Join the viewing fun at the Griffith Observatory solar eclipse event. This event is free to the public and eclipse viewing glasses can be bought onsite (at the store). Telescope viewing from lawn, sidewalks, and on the Observatory's historic solar telescope in the Hall of the Sky.
Cost: Free
Solar Eclipse Viewing with JPL, Kidspace Children's Museum, Pasadena
Staff from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory will be on hand to demonstrate how to make a pinhole camera (for safe viewing) and the museum will be handing out viewing glasses with the price of admission.
Cost: $13 for anyone over 12 months old
Solar Eclipse Viewing Party, Caltech, Pasadena
Caltech is hosting a viewing party on Beckman Lawn with solar telescopes, eclipse glasses and a live stream from the path of totality. Astrophysicists will be on hand to answer questions
Cost: Free
Solar Eclipse Viewing, Glendale Community College, Glendale
Come join the party at Glendale Community College’s planetarium. Astronomy professors and volunteers from NASA will be around to answer questions and viewing glasses will be handed out for free.
Cost: Free
OC Discovery Cube (Santa Ana)
2500 N Main St
Santa Ana, California, CA 92705
Time 9am-11am
Explore the science of solar eclipses and help you prepare to watch the eclipse. Bring your own cardboard box and create a special device to help you safely view the eclipse. Learn about forced perspective, an optical illusion tricking the brain into thinking large objects (like the sun) appear small, and small objects (like the moon) appear HUGE. In the Planetary Research Station, we will track the pathway of this total solar eclipse, learn how a solar eclipse occurs, and why this coast-to-coast event is so rare – the last one to traverse the continental United States occurred in 1918! On the morning of August 21, Discovery Cube will open early at 9:00AM for a Solar Eclipse Viewing Party. Cost: Included with general admission.
Mt. SAC - Randall Planetarium (Walnut)
1100 N Grand Ave (Map)
Walnut, California 91789
Join the Mt. SAC Randall Planetarium in viewing the Total Solar Eclipse this August 21st! We will have special telescopes for viewing the eclipse and special solar eclipse sunglasses to prevent damaging your eyes with the sun's harmful rays. The planetarium will also have FREE planetarium shows playing from 8am to 12pm. Eclipse total time; 9:06-11:45am
"Totality", a planetarium show that explains the movement of the sun and moon and the causes of such a rare solar eclipse, will be showing at the following times: FREE!
8:00am
9:30am
10:35am
11:10am
12:00pm
Parking that day will be free in all student lots. Staff and metered parking will be monitored. See you under the Sun!
The 2017 Total Solar Eclipse, Mount Wilson Observatory, Mount Wilson
Mount Wilson Observatory will offer public viewing of the eclipse through a variety of telescopes. This viewing event may worth the drive if you can pull it off. Might be a great field trip for homeschooling moms.
Cost: Free
Below are some of the best link around to help you get your children prepared and ready to fully understand the eclipse
Teachers/Homeschoolers -
Free lesson plans online http://kidseclipse.com/lesson-plan-outline/
Homeschool Activities to download Free: https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/homeschool
Nasa Free Eclipse Downloads https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/downloadables
Nasa Free Streaming Site https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/eclipse-live-stream
Free 2D/3D Printable Pinhole Projectors Download Link: https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/2d3d-printable-pinhole-projectors
Nasa Free Activities Kit Download PDF: https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/NASA_Eclipse_Activity_Guide.pdf
Huge List Eclipse 2017 Resources and Activities for Interpreters: http://www.earthtosky.org/library/eclipse-resources.html
Teach your kids about how eclipses work. To make the most of the experience, be sure to teach your kids how every kind of eclipse works. Depending on your kids’ ages, you can pull out some sports balls (soccer, baseball, basketball, etc.) and, with volunteers, recreate a portion of the solar system. This is best done at night with a high powered flashlight. For older kids, review with them what they have already learned, comparing partial, annular, and total solar eclipses, along with lunar eclipses. I highly recommend the episode of Crash Course Astronomy dealing with eclipses(see above), featuring GeekDad-approved scientist, Phil Plait
Eclipses: Crash Course Astronomy #5 https://youtu.be/PRgua7xceDA
NASA invites eclipse viewers around the country to participate in a nationwide science experiment by collecting cloud and air temperature data and reporting it via their phones. To join in the fun, download the GLOBE Observer app https://observer.globe.gov/about/get-the-app. After you log in, the app explains how to make eclipse observations.
Enter your zip code to find out your times https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/7/25/16019892/solar-eclipse-2017-interactive-map
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