When: Monday, August 21st 2:30 – 3:15pm
Where: Town Hill
Join us on Town Hill for a solar eclipse viewing party. This is the first full eclipse in 38 years!
There will be some safety glasses available, but you can also make your own at home and bring them.
All ages are invited to attend, no registration is required.
What is a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes in front of the Sun and casts a shadow across Earth.
In Massachusetts we will only be able to see a partial solar eclipse, what does that mean?
This is when the Moon does not line up completely with the Sun, and so only partially blocks the sunlight from reaching Earth.
How fast is the moon moving during an eclipse?
The speed of the Moon as it moves across the Sun is approximately 2,250 km (1,398 miles) per hour.
Do animals really change their behavior during an eclipse?
It has been reported during many eclipses that many different animals are startled by totality and change their behavior thinking that twilight has arrived. You can explore this yourself with your own pets, or by watching local wildlife, especially birds.
When is the next eclipse?
The next one visible from the Lower-48 will be on April 8, 2024 which will track northeast from Texas to Maine and cross the path of the 2017 eclipse near Carbondale, Illinois. Since 1503, there have been 15 total solar eclipse paths that have crossed the path of the August 2017 eclipse. Calculations show that it will take about 1000 years for every geographic location in the Lower-48 to be able to view a total solar eclipse.