The Solar Eclipse is coming! Are you ready?
The total solar eclipse will take place Monday, April 8th. Families in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine will have the opportunity to experience this spectacular moment. This is a great time to make some memories because the next time we may see an eclipse is 2044.
Solar eclipses are one of the most spectacular natural phenomena that occur in our solar system. These events, where the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, blocking all or part of the sun’s light from reaching us, transforms the day into night for just a few moments.
Viewing a solar eclipse can be really exciting but it’s very important to protect your eyes. Looking directly at the sun, even with an eclipse, can cause serious damage to your eyes. You need to use specially designed glasses that are made for viewing the solar eclipse.
As we prepare for the solar eclipse, make sure you check out all the fun stuff at the library starting the week of April 1st. There will be crafts, a DIY Eclipse Viewer program, a fun Lego program presented by Young Engineers, a visit from the Vanderbilt Museum and their telescope, and a viewing party on the day of the eclipse.
Check out these great books to learn more about the Sun and the Moon:
What is a Solar Eclipse? by Dana Rau
The Sun and the Moon by Carolyn DeCristofano
If You Decide to go to the Moon by Faith McNulty