Learning and Preparing for the Total Solar Eclipse

On August 21, 2017, between 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, an amazing thing will happen: the skies will darken, temperatures will drop, and America will fall under the path of a total solar eclipse! A total solar eclipse is when the moon appears to completely cover the sun in the sky. Likewise, a partial solar eclipse is when the moon appears to cover some portion of the sun. Most of Mississippi will view a partial solar eclipse, but one at around .9 magnitude—which is still a very good thing! This means that most of the sun will be covered by the moon, but not all of it. The nearest location to view a total solar eclipse is Nashville, TN, and surrounding areas.

Image from the American Astronomical Society

Though the period when the moon completely blocks out the sun will only be a few minutes long, the eclipse itself will take multiple hours, as the moon slowly moves towards and away from the sun. A lot of libraries are taking advantage of this to have a fun party! Some other libraries are hosting other eclipse-themed events, like learning how to make a pinhole camera or a special space-themed story time.

Here are some libraries that are having eclipse-themed events: Bay St. Louis-Hancock County Library, Brandon Public Library, Carthage-Leake County Library, Coffeeville Public Library, East Central Public Library, Gulfport Public Library, Ina Thompson Moss Point Library, Lucedale/George County Public Library, McHenry Public Library, Ocean Springs Municipal Library, Olive Branch Public Library, Orange Grove Public Library, Pascagoula Public Library, Pass Christian Public Library, Purvis Public Library, Southaven Public Library, St. Martin Public Library, Vancleave Public Library. Don’t forget to call your library ahead of time as well—some of these events do require you RSVP. Be sure to check with your individual library as to when their viewing parties start and finish!

BE SAFE WHILE VIEWING THE ECLIPSE! Looking directly at the sun, even if it’s partially covered by the moon, can permanently damage your eyesight, leading to vision problems or blindness. Anybody who plans to look at the solar eclipse should find a safe method of viewing, such as a pinhole camera or solar eclipse glasses. Some events will be providing glasses and some local libraries already have viewing glasses to give away—make sure to call your local library to see if that’s the case! Eclipse glasses can also be bought online from vendors certified by the American Astronomical Society. The solar viewing glasses should block all light except for the sun. Do not use your viewing glasses if they are damaged, scratched, or torn!

MLC staff members model an AAS certified pair of solar eclipse glasses

If you want to know more about the solar eclipse, check out these links below. No matter where you view it, stay safe and have a fun time viewing the eclipse!
Space.com: "Total Solar Eclipse 2017: When, Where and How to See It (Safely)"
Space.com: "How to Tell if Your Eclipse Glasses Are Unsafe (and What To Do About It)"
The New York Times: "During an Eclipse, Darkness Falls and Wonder Rises"
National Geographic: "Surprising Ways Animals React to Solar Eclipses"