North Jersey Science Center Plans Solar Eclipse Viewing Party

If you’re looking for a place to gather with other stargazers in North Jersey for the solar eclipse on Aug. 21, you could do worse than the future site of the “largest planetarium in the U.S.”

On Monday, Aug. 21, the Liberty Science Center (LSC) in Jersey City will hold a viewing party for the “Great American Eclipse” from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Learn more here.

The LSC will soon house the largest planetarium in the USA, thanks to a $5 million gift from an ex-high school teacher.

• See related article: NJ Science Center Gears Up To Build ‘Largest Planetarium In USA’

“A total solar eclipse is passing over the nation on August 21, and unless you can see it in its immediate path, there's no better way to experience it than at LSC,” the center wrote on Facebook.

The kid-friendly event will include:

• A STEM team to explain the cool celestial science behind the eclipse
• Telescopes and sunspotters out on the lawn, plus a special scope with a camera and monitors for safely displaying the eclipse
• Live science demos
• A live remote broadcast from Cadiz, Kentucky where the eclipse will be total
• Sun Globe Racing in inflatable hamster balls
• Space crafts (such as sundials, eclipse art and more)
• A special 4:45 p.m. showing of the Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon Laser Show

Lyft stated in a news release that it's offering a discount to help you get to some of the best viewing parties around the state, including the Liberty Science Center. New and existing users can enter the code NJECLIPSE for 50 percent off of two rides (up to a $10 maximum discount). Link to the discount here: https://www.lyft.com/invite/NJ...

The discount is available around the following viewing locations on Aug. 21, while supplies last:

• Liberty Science Center
• Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium
• The Robert J Novins Planetarium
• Edelman Planetarium at Rowan
• Palmer Square at Princeton
• Newark Museum

SOLAR ECLIPSE AND NEW JERSEY

The solar eclipse will be visible across the United States for the first time since 1918. If the weather holds up, it should be visible across New Jersey, experts say.

But don't expect to get a total solar eclipse that will be much more visible in the South, according to the National Weather Service. However, locals should prepare themselves anyway.

The National Weather Service says New Jersey will likely get what's considered a "partial" solar eclipse — meaning that we'll see 70 to 75 percent of the sun covered by the moon — that will start shortly after 1 p.m. and reach its peak just before 3 p.m.

• See related article: Total Solar Eclipse 2017: Will New Jersey See It?

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Photo: NASA