A rare and stunning event is happening on Monday, Aug. 21, as millions of people across the United States will be able to see one of astronomy’s greatest phenomena.
A total eclipse of the sun.
The moon will completely block the sun, and daylight will turn into a deep twilight. Night within a day. A total eclipse will be seen in a coast-t0-coast swath of North America. Parts of South America, Africa and Europe will be able to see a partial eclipse.
Now that the scientific stuff has been covered, let’s cut to Utah. The closest eclipse totality is four driving hours away in Driggs, Idaho, and thousands are flocking there. For those of us without the time or money to drive to central Idaho or Wyoming, a substantial eclipse (91 percent) will be visible in northern Utah. The eclipse here begins at 10:13 am and ends at 12:59 pm.
Obligatory warning for idiots: Make sure you don’t look at the sun without the proper filters. You could seriously injure your eyes.
Below is a list of places where you can pick up glasses and go to viewing parties for the eclipse all around Utah. They’ll likely be crowded so plan ahead.
The Gateway is holding a Total Solar Eclipse Viewing Event from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum and Clark Planetarium will help the public safely view the eclipse at The Plaza near the Olympic Legacy Fountain. There will be eclipse‐themed science activities at the planetarium and the children’s museum. Planetarium staff and Goldman Sachs volunteers will be on site at the Fountain Plaza and also at Wheeler Farm in Murray and will assist with a viewing party at the Downtown City Library in SLC from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Snowbasin Solar Eclipse Viewing, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Needles Lodge, Snowbasin Resort
UofU Solar Eclipse Viewing, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Willard Marriott Library
Holladay Solar Eclipse Event, 11 a.m.– 2 p.m., Holladay Library
Park City Total Solar Eclipse Picnic 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Park City Library
The Salt Lake County Libraries will be also be hosting viewing parties across the valley. Check out the dates and times here.
For those in southern Utah: A solar telescope and telescope with a solar filter will be set up at Capitol Reef, and the Capitol Reef Natural History Association will sell special-eclipse viewing glasses at the bookstore.
If you’re planning on viewing from a chair in your backyard or favorite bar patio, Clark Planetarium has protective glasses for sale. Or you can make your own pinhole or cereal-box viewer.
Want to do an Instagram selfie? NASA explains how here.
