The solar eclipse on August 21, 2017, was dubbed the “Great American Eclipse” because its path of totality spanned the continental United States, from the Pacific to the Atlantic. Whether you witnessed that eclipse or not, you don’t want to miss the 2024 event: it will be the last solar eclipse visible from the contiguous United States until 2044!
On April 8, 2024, the moon’s shadow will travel a path across the United States and Mexico, providing a total solar eclipse that will be visible to over 32 Million Americans who live along the path of totality, plus countless more who will travel to see it. Wisconsin is NOT in the path of totality, meaning that here in Mercer we will be able to view only a partial solar eclipse. It will look like the moon has taken a “bite” out of the sun. A partial eclipse is NOT safe to view with the naked eye, so all Mercer residents need to be prepared to safely view this unique event.
Jim Head of the Northwoods Explorers of Space and Astronomy will visit the Mercer Library on Tuesday, March 19th at 10:00 a.m. to talk all about eclipses. He’ll show us how eclipses work, and we’ll discuss the phases of the moon, solar cycles, sun spots, how our sun relates to other stars in the solar system, and more. Most importantly, Jim will talk about the path of the April 8th event and how to safely view an eclipse using eclipse glasses, pinhole viewers, and other fun ways you can observe the changes to our local star during the eclipse.
All attendees at this program will receive a free pair of eclipse viewing glasses. (While supplies last, although we expect to have plenty for everyone!) The program is free and open to all ages, but the information shared will be geared towards teens and adults. For more information, call the library at 715-476-2366.