Middleboro, Lakeville prepare for solar eclipse
Apr 6, 2024
A partial solar eclipse will be visible on the afternoon of Monday, April 8. Source: ESA/CESAR/Wouter van Reeven, licensed CC BY-SA IGO 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/igo/)
Pull out your special glasses and prepare for the solar eclipse Monday, April 8.
While Massachusetts is not within the path of viewing for a total eclipse, the astronomical sight will still be visible as a partial eclipse from Middleboro and Lakeville.
A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the sun. Monday’s eclipse will be the last total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous United States until 2044, according to NASA.
From the Lakeville/Middleboro area, about 90% of an eclipse will be visible at 3:29 p.m. Monday, April 8, according to NASA mapping.
Special glasses are required to safely view the eclipse because looking directly at the sun can injure the eyes. These glasses are different from standard sunglasses.
Looking at the sun through a camera, binoculars or telescope – even with eclipse glasses – is unsafe and can cause eye injury. A special-purpose solar filter must be secured over the equipment’s optics in order to safely look at the eclipse.
Two local events will give residents the chance to celebrate the eclipse.
On Saturday, April 6 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. visit the Middleboro Public Library to learn how the Moon's shadow on the Earth causes solar eclipses from author, educator and scientist Jana Grcevich.
The program will discuss the many ways that families can observe the upcoming April 8 solar eclipse and what to expect while viewing. Certified eclipse glasses will be available to take home to safely observe this celestial event from the backyard.
Grcevich received her PhD in astronomy from Columbia University, and taught astronomy at the American Museum of Natural History, City College, and the Cooper Union. She co-authored the book “Vacation Guide to the Solar System: Science for the Savvy Space Traveler’’ and resides in Somerville.
Glasses are provided by the NASA Space Science Institute's STARnet SEAL program. No registration is required.
This program is supported by the Friends of the Middleborough Public Library.
Then during the eclipse itself, visit the Lakeville library Monday, April 8 from 2 to 4 p.m. to view the eclipse and enjoy snacks.
