On April 8, 2024, a total eclipse will cross parts of North America. The astronomical spectacle is what happens when the moon passes between the sun and Earth and completely blocks the sun, darkening the sky during daytime. The eclipse will start in the South Pacific Ocean and will cross North America, passing over Mexico, United States, and Canada. Weather permitting, the phenomenon will be visible in Texas before traveling through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, before exiting continental North America at 5:16 p.m. NDT (Newfoundland Time Zone.)
What does that mean for Vermont? To safely view the Total Solar Eclipse, the Waterbury Public Library has invited the Vermont Astronomical Society to give a presentation on “How to Safely View the Solar Eclipse.” President of VAS, Jack St. Louis will cover information on the sun, dates and times of the eclipse, why eclipses happen, where to look, what to expect, and SAFE Solar Viewing.
The program takes place on Monday, March 25th at 6 PM in the SAL Room and attendees will get to take home eclipse glasses. Eclipse glasses are solar viewing glasses which have specialized lenses that block harmful radiation from penetrating your eyes. Regular sunglasses, no matter the darkness or thickness are unsafe to look at the sun and can cause vision issues and even blindness.