Photo courtesy of NASA.gov
The Fourth of July fireworks are over, but there is one more reason to stop what you’re doing and look up to the skies. On Monday August 21st, the Great American Solar Eclipse will occur. This is the first total solar eclipse to go from the Pacific to Atlantic, across the United States, since June, 1918. This is also the first total solar eclipse to be seen on the 48 contiguous states since 1979. While here in Rhode Island we will only see a partial eclipse, about 75-80% coverage, it is always phenomenal to see an astronomical event, especially when it does not require you to be up at 3am. It will peak at 2:47pm, but it will run from 1:28pm until 4pm and there are plenty of events here in Rhode Island for people of all ages. Unfortunately, The Ladd Observatory in Providence is closed for renovation, if you were thinking of going there, but there are still plenty of opportunities to check out the eclipse elsewhere in the state.
Frosty Drew Observatory
Photo by Peter Amylon
The Frosty Drew Observatory will begin hosting solar activities at 10am. Multiple filtered telescopes will be set up in order to study the sun and catch sunspots, prominence, and filaments. Eclipse glasses will be available in limited supply. The event is free, but donations are appreciated. The Frosty Drew Observatory is located at 61 Park Lane in Ninigret Park in Charlestown. You can find out more about the event at the observatory’s event page.
Seagrave Memorial Observatory
Photo courtesy of TheSkyscrapers.org
The Seagrave Memorial Observatory will provide some solar eclipse glasses, as well as telescopes in order to look at the eclipse. They will also have live streams from locations experiencing a total eclipse. The event starts at 1pm and is free, but donations would be appreciated. The Seagrave Memorial Observatory is located at 47 Peep Toad Road in North Scituate, RI. Check out the observatory’s event at their website.
Pawtucket Public Library
Photo courtesy of OSLRI.org
The Pawtucket Public Library’s viewing party will start at 1pm on the steps of the library. Eclipse viewing glasses will be available in limited supply. The Pawtucket Public Library is at 13 Summer Street in Pawtucket. The event is free to attend. You can check out more information for this event on the Pawtucket Public Library event calendar.
East Providence Public Library
Photo Courtesy of EastProvidenceLibrary.org
The Weaver Library will hold an event from 1:30 to 4 with food trucks, a photo booth, face painting, raffles, and more. There will also be live music from 2-4. The Weaver Library is at 41 Grove Street in East Providence. For more detailed information, check out the Weaver Library’s event page.
Cumberland Public Library
Photo Courtesy of OSLRI.org
Cumberland Public Library will have a viewing party from 1:15 until 4:15 on the Monastery grounds. They will have viewing glasses available in limited supplies. The Cumberland Public Library is at 1464 Diamond Hill Road in Cumberland. For the event page head to the Cumberland Public Library’s event calendar.
Easton Beach
Photo courtesy of Newport-Discovery-Guide.com
At Easton Beach, Strange Attractor Theatre will be putting on a Sea Pageant to coincide with the eclipse. All ages and skills are welcome in this unison performance. If you can not make it to the rehearsal, the dances are available on their website. Those who simply wish to simply observe are welcome. This event will begin at 1:30 and is free. Easton Beach is at 175 Memorial Blvd in Newport. For more information on the event and the how to videos check out the event at the theatre’s website.
Roger Williams Park
Photo courtesy of ProvidenceRI.gov
The Museum of Natural History and Planetarium in Roger Williams Park will have a reserved common area outside for viewing purposes. They will also have a NASA megacast showing complete coverage of the entire path of the eclipse. At 1pm there will be a special planetarium presentation of the eclipse, meaning there is not the usual 2pm showing. Special educational activities will also be going throughout the event. Admission to the museum is $2 and for the planetarium it is $3, and children 4 and under are free for both. Special activities are free with admission to either the planetarium or museum, and eclipse glasses will be distributed with admission. The Museum is located inside Roger Williams Park. For information on the event check out the event page. If you can not make it to one of these events, but still want to view the eclipse solar viewing glasses are available for purchase online. Sunglasses are not a substitute for solar viewing glasses. For more safety information and links to purchase NASA approved glasses visit, https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety. The next total Solar Eclipse will not be viewable here in the United States until April 8, 2024, so make sure you get out and look up. Facts provided by NASA.gov
