Monroe Skywatchers: Partial Solar Eclipse to Appear in Thursday Night's Sky

By Sherri Lonon (Patch Staff)

Area residents who love taking in sunsets are in for quite a show Thursday evening when a partial eclipse of the sun is expected to appear.

While it’s only a partial eclipse, NASA says this one should be of particular interest “because the event is widely visible from Canada and the USA.” The eclipse will begin to be noticeable around 5 p.m. on the east coast as the moon crosses in between the earth and the sun. The event should be visible to almost everyone in North America, except for those in northern New England and Canada’s Maritime provinces, CBS News reports. The eclipse will end on the east coast as the sun sets.

For other viewing times, check out NASA’s projected timetable.

Watching the eclipse safely, however, is easier said than done. CBS warns that special glasses equipped with solar filters or No. 13 or No. 14 arc-welder’s glasses are recommended. Pinhole cameras can also work and NASA even offers step-by-step instructions on how to make them. NASA also spells out the dangers of looking directly at an eclipse in this article while offering advice for taking in the sight safely.

Weather in the area is anticipated to cooperate for optimum viewing – with safety gear, of course. The National Weather Service predicts a sunny Thursday ahead with a mostly clear night.

Photo Credit: NASA website T. Ruen