Solar Eclipse

On Aug. 21, North America will experience its first coast-to-coast total solar eclipse in nearly 100 years!

This once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, and the moon blocks the sun from view.

Some of our libraries will be hosting viewing parties and related activities before and during the eclipse.

• Moses Lake Public Library has 100 eclipse-safe glasses to hand out for the event. The library will also
  have a laptop set up to watch the eclipse inside, and will be giving out Moon Pies and Starbursts as treats.
• Wenatchee Public Library will also be giving out eclipse-safe glasses starting around 9 a.m. The library will be showing a livestream of the entire eclipse, as well as hosting an eclipse-themed story time and serving refreshments.
• Grand Coulee Library will have a pre-eclipse program on Friday, Aug. 18, at 10:30 a.m., with themed stories, information about the eclipse, and will be giving away eclipse-safe glasses.
• George Public Library will also host a pre-eclipse party next week (since they’re closed on Mondays) with a craft, information about the event, and will be handing out eclipse-safe glasses.
• Cashmere Library and the Cashmere Museum and Pioneer Village will team up for solar eclipse activities. Starting Friday, the first 75 people can get a pair of solar viewing glasses at the library. Then at 9 a.m., the library will show a live feed of the eclipse. At the same time, the museum will host a ticketed viewing party at the Pioneer Village in Cashmere. Tickets are free and must be picked up at the library.

• NASA has a great website with a lot of science, fun facts and printable information.
• Gale, an educational resource for libraries, is offering free access to its eclipse resources for the month of August.

The best time to begin viewing the total eclipse in North Central Washington starts right around 9:10 a.m., with the maximum eclipse happening around 10:23 a.m., and ending just before noon.