Solar Eclipse 2017: When, Where, How To See It In Connecticut

HARTFORD, CT — All of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun on Monday, with some parts of the country even experiencing the truly rare sight of a total solar eclipse where the moon will completely cover the sun. As a result, the sun's tenuous atmosphere (or corona) will be visible from Lincoln Beach, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina.

Total solar eclipses occur about once every 18 months and are visible from at least some place on the Earth’s surface, however it would take a millennium for every geographic location in the continental U.S. to see the phenomenon, according to NASA.

Observers in Connecticut however will only experience a partial solar eclipse as the moon covers part of the sun's disk. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

See also: Connecticut Weather: What To Expect For The Total Eclipse And This Week

• Total Solar Eclipse 2017: What CT Residents Need To Know

When To Look Up On Monday and What You'll See

According to eclipse2017.org, Connecticut will experience an approximately 68 percent eclipse. The partial phases will start in our area at 1:25 p.m. Monday, according to both Yale University and Wesleyan University. It will then reach a maximum effacement of the sun's disk at 2:45 p.m. and end around at 4 p.m.

“Where we’re located, [Connecticut] will have a partial eclipse.," Kate Whitaker, an Assistant Professor at the University of Connecticut's Department of Physics, said in an interview with Patch. “Basically you will see the sun progressively dim and see an overall darkening. You are not going to see what you would have in totality, which is basically a golden ring, but we will see an overall dimming.”

The current forecast for Monday offers some good news as its expected to be sunny, with a high near 86, according to the National Weather Service. The forecast for Monday night is also reported as mostly clear, with a low around 65.

Whitaker recommends viewing the eclipse in any open area or somewhere elevated for the best possible view of this remarkable event.

Why Is It Happening?

Solar eclipses occur when the moon moves between the sun and the Earth, according to NASA. While the moon's orbit is merely about a month long, it is also tilted by about five degrees respective to Earth’s orbit around the sun.

Due to this tilt, the moon often misses too high or low to cause a solar eclipse. In other words, all three entities (the sun, moon and Earth) must line up close to the “line of nodes” for an eclipse to occur.

What Do I Need To Watch Safely?

The only time a viewer can safely look directly at an eclipse is during the brief total phase of a solar eclipse when the the sun’s bright face is entirely blocked by the moon, according to NASA. Due to the fact that Connecticut will only experience a partial eclipse, residents viewing the event will need to wear a pair of NASA-approved solar eclipse glasses.

“The most important thing is to be aware you should not look directly at the sun without proper viewing glasses for safety reasons," Whitaker said. "People should be aware you can damage your eyes if you don’t have proper equipment.”

See also: Get Your NASA-Approved Solar Eclipse Glasses Before It's Too Late

• Solar Eclipse: Don't Fall For Fake Eclipse Glasses

NASA advises that an ordinary pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses, or even a homemade filter is not safe for viewing the eclipse, as they could transmit thousands of times too much sunlight. It is also advised that viewers do not stare continuously at the sun and give their eyes a break while taking in the spectacle.

The American Astronomical Society has released a guide on how to tell if your eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers are safe, which can be found here.

NASA also advises against looking at the sun through a camera, telescope, binoculars or any similar devices while using eclipse glasses or a hand-held solar viewer, as the concentrated solar rays will damage the filter and causing serious injury to a viewer's eye.

Those glasses can be expensive. The best eclipse-on-a-budget device for viewing has been used for more than 1,000 years: the pinhole camera. All you need is a couple of pieces of paper to construct your own basic version. For a deluxe version, you’ll need only a cereal box (emptied to avoid Cheerios in the eyes), a couple of strips of tape, a small piece of paper and and some foil. Here’s how to build a pinhole camera quickly.

NASA has provided a guide to safely viewing the eclipse, which can be found here.

Where Can I Watch It In Connecticut?

A number of places in Connecticut will be hosting events celebrating the eclipse, including viewing parties and day-long activities.

The Connecticut Science Center in Hartford will host a Total Eclipse Celebration the weekend of Aug. 19. The event will kick off Sunday, Aug. 20, with Live Science events centered on the eclipse and run through to Monday, when attendees can view the eclipse at the center while enjoying food trucks, a dance party and more.

RiverQuest in Haddam will also be hosting a Solar Eclipse Cruise, where attendees can attend a unique viewing party right on the Connecticut River.

Tourism website ctvisit.com lists 10 local communities that will be hosting events related to the eclipse:

• Hartford
• Litchfield
• Haddam
• Stamford
• Glastonbury
• Ridgefield
• Westport
• Suffield
• West Hartford
• New Milford

View the full list and descriptions for each event at ctvisit.com.

Whitaker also revealed that the university's Storrs campus will be holding its own eclipse event Monday at the UConn Dairy Bar.

Whitaker said the event will start at 2 p.m. with a short interactive tutorial on eclipses. The event is family-friendly and will also include a pinhole camera activity where attendees can make their own safe viewing equipment.

The university will also have four solar telescopes set up for the entire event. Visit the University of Connecticut website for more information on this event.

For those looking to get more out of the eclipse than locally offered, NASA will also be providing live video from several cities in the path of the total eclipse. Viewers can also use this interactive Google map to find the spot of the longest eclipse.

Those interested can also check out Vox's interactive map to figure out what time the solar eclipse will reach its height in your area.

Eclipses like this one are rare, and NASA and other sources will provide photos of the moon obscuring the sun that are far better than you’ll be able to snap. So, rather than fumbling around with something as common as your cell phone, soak in the wonder of what’s happening far above you.

Why Should I Care?

As Monday draws closer, Whitaker said she is more excited about one aspect of the eclipse than even viewing the event.

"It is not going to be the same effect as if you were in the path of totality," Whitaker said, "but it is really something that is happening all across the country and getting everyone excited about astronomy. I think it is a kind of unifying thing across our country...we love that we can get the public excited about astronomy.”

Image via NASA