Free Solar Eclipse Party at Foothill College Observatory In Los Altos Hills On Thursday

Bay Area kids and their families are invited to a solar eclipse party hosted by Foothill College and the all-volunteer Peninsula Astronomy Society (PAS).

The event is Thursday, Oct. 23, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the college’s observatory in Los Altos Hills.

Admission is free and the public is invited to attend.

In addition to viewing the eclipse from the 16-inch computer-controlled Schmidt-Cassegrain reflector and hydrogen-alpha solar telescopes in the Foothill observatory, PAS volunteers will make a variety of small telescopes available for the public to view the solar eclipse.

Volunteers will also explain the eclipse phenomena and answer questions. From the Bay Area, the sun will be about 40 percent covered. The best time to view the eclipse will be 3–3:30 p.m.

Foothill College Astronomy Instructor Andrew Fraknoi has prepared two non-technical eclipse information sheets, one for the Bay Area and one that covers the U.S., at www.astrosociety.org/society-news/2014-eclipse-fact-sheets/.

About the Foothill College Observatory—Operated by the Peninsula Astronomical Society (PAS), theFoothill College Observatory offers weekly public programs that allow families, scout troops and other community members to view the wonders of the universe. Programs are free of charge to visitors of all ages; parking is $3:

• Friday evening viewing, 9–11 p.m.;
• Saturday solar viewing, 10 a.m.–noon;
• Special viewings like the eclipse of the sun Oct. 23, 2–4:30 p.m.; and
• Observatory is closed when skies are cloudy.

Parking Lot 4 provides the best access to the observatory. Visitors must purchase the required campus parking permit for $3. Purchase permit at dispensers in any student lot.

Dispensers accept one-dollar bills and quarters; bring exact change. Foothill College is located off I-280 on El Monte Road in Los Altos Hills.

For additional information, access www.foothill.edu or call (650) 949-7334.

--Image via Shutterstock

--Information courtesy of Foothill College Astronomy