GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A total solar eclipse will be sweeping across the country on April 8, bringing several minutes of darkness to areas of Mexico, the United States and Canada.
This is the first total solar eclipse seen in the U.S. since 2017, and we will have to wait another 20 years before the next one comes along.
The path of totality ranges from Texas all the way to Maine. All 48 contiguous states will see at least a partial solar eclipse.
While West Michigan won't be plunged into darkness in the middle of the afternoon, the region is expected to see about 93% totality, meaning the sun will be partially blocked and the sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk. West Michigan is expected to see the partial eclipse for about an hour, beginning at 2:30 p.m.
Some events are being held in the lead-up to the eclipse. Many are family-friendly ways to learn more about the rare event.
The Grand Rapids Public Library is partnering with the Air Zoo to host a day of solar eclipse-themed activities in the week leading up to the eclipse. Attendees can learn about eclipses using a portable planetarium and through interactive presentations. Events run from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3. Attendees will receive a pair of solar eclipse glasses while supplies last. Learn more here.
In Greenville, families are welcome to join the Flat River Community Library for interactive exploration stations about the solar eclipse. The library will be giving out solar eclipse glasses to everyone who participates. The event takes place Monday, April 1 between 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
There are multiple seminars and lectures for those looking to learn more. On Saturday, April 6, GVSU Professor of Physics Douglas Furton will address how to best prepare for the eclipse, as well as how to safely see and photograph it. It begins at 1 p.m. at GRPL's Main Library.
NASA Solar System Ambassador Joe Dermody is coming to the White Lake Community Library to give a presentation on the eclipses he's experienced and how to get the most out of the upcoming eclipse. There will be solar eclipse-themed activities for children at the event. All attendees will receive solar eclipse glasses. Dermody's lecture kicks off at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27.
As part of the annual Roger That! conference at GVSU, Physics Professor Dr. Bradley Ambrose will be offering a hands-on workshop for people of all ages. The workshop will go over why total solar eclipses are so rare, how they differ from lunar eclipses, and how to assemble equipment for viewing the eclipse. The workshop is on Friday, Feb. 16 at the Seidman Center.
Randy Mergener, who is an adjunct instructor in the science department at Aquinas and at Grand Rapids Community College, will be leading an "Exploring Eclipses" presentation at Coopersville Area District Library. The presentation will include both solar and lunar eclipses. It begins at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22.
On Thursday, April 4, kids ages 5 to 10 can join the Kent District Library Wyoming branch for a hands-on lab that will go over shadows, animal behavior during eclipses and more.
On the day of the eclipse, the Kent District Library Cascade Branch will host a viewing party. Because outdoor viewing is weather-dependent, the library will also have a NASA livestream of the eclipse. Eclipse glasses will be provided while supplies last. The viewing party starts at 2 p.m.
Some observatories in West Michigan are hosting public viewing hours during the eclipse on April 8. The Hemlock Crossing Public Observatory in West Olive will be open from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the Muskegon Astronomical Society Observatory will open at 1:30 p.m.
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