Solar Eclipse: How Much We'll See In Newtown, When To See It

NEWTOWN, PA — Excitement is building in Newtown for the April 8 total solar eclipse. We’re not among some 32 million Americans living in the path of totality, but neither will we miss out on the celestial sensation.

In the United States, the path of totality extends from Texas to Maine, but each of the 48 continental states will see some of the solar eclipse, which occurs when the moon slips between our bright star and Earth. In Newtown, the moon will cover about 89.5 percent of the sun at the peak of the eclipse, according to a NASA map that is searchable by ZIP code.

Here are the details:
Partial eclipse begins: 2:08 p.m.
Maximum: 3:24 p.m.
Partial ends: 4:35 p.m.

The weather forecast for Monday calls for mostly sunny skies with a high temperature around 64 degrees.

ECLIPSE EVENTS

• A Sun, Moon, and Earth event will be held at the Tyler Park Center for the Arts in Northampton Township on Sunday, April 7 beginning at 1 p.m. Participants will learn about the solar eclipse and how to safely view the event with science and art activities to help explain what happens during an eclipse and how to make your own pin-hole viewer to use during the eclipse. Click here for more information.
• To celebrate Monday's partial eclipse of the sun, the Borscht Belt is hosting a community viewing party from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Village at Newtown South. The public is invited to stop by the deli on South Eagle Road to experience the celestial event on what is expected to be a pleasant, sunny day with temperatures in the mid-60s. Throughout the "Great North American Eclipse," the deli is planning special eclipse-themed music - think "Here Comes the Sun," "Total Eclipse of the Heart," and "Bad Moon Rising" - along with giveaways, store specials, and Borscht Belt-branded eclipse viewing glasses. Click here for more information.
• The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia will host a free Solar Watch Party on the steps of the museum on Monday, April 8 from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Join the Institute for a free community-wide viewing party as the moon takes center stage to cast its shadow on the Earth! Safely observe the solar eclipse under its large solar filter tents, or through its specially equipped telescopes — or your own eclipse glasses. For more details, click here.

Related: You Must Protect Your Eyes, Regardless Of Eclipse Totality: What You Need

The weather forecast calls for sunny to partly cloudy skies on Monday with a high temperature around 64 degrees.

The total solar eclipse starts in Mexico, entering the United States in Texas and traveling through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, as well as small parts of Tennessee and Michigan, before entering Canada in southern Ontario through Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton before exiting continental North America on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland, Canada.

• Related: Animals May Behave Oddly During Eclipse