2017 Solar Eclipse Guide: Events and where to watch, who has glasses, safety, and more

What exactly is a solar eclipse?

Everything–and we mean EVERYTHING–you ever wanted to know about the solar eclipse is available from NASA. They’ve got an entire section dedicated to giving you all the facts.

The quick answer to “what’s a solar eclipse:” the moon will slide in between the earth and the sun, completely covering the sun and showing off the sun’s tenous atmosphere, also known as the corona.

Here in Richmond, we won’t see a full eclipse–only a partial. But, it’ll still be impressive as roughly 85% of the sun will be blocked out according to the closeup of this NASA map which shows percentages of coverage. The path of totality, as it’s known, is shown in the shaded region toward the middle of the map. These are the areas which will experience a total eclipse of the heart the sun.

In Richmond, we’ll see something like the below:

A partial solar eclipse (image by RickFienberg)

The best view of the eclipse will be in a pair of NASA jets as they follow the eclipse across the country. That is going to look so cool on a resumé–you know, being able to list “eclipse chaser” under your accomplishments. If you don’t have your own private jet, head south if you want the full effect.

More explanation in video form:

But be forewarned before you make the trip south. Areas such as Charleston, South Carolina, one of the closest cities to RVA in the path of totality, are expected to be slam-packed with visitors, and local governments are warning that highways and streets may be gridlocked.

Local events

Lewis Ginter Solar Sun Celebration

Solar eclipse viewing glasses for the first 500 guests (certified for safe viewing) will be distributed starting at 1:00 PM. Peak viewing will occur at 2:45 PM.

• Make a botanical sun print
• Test out a pinhole viewer for observing the eclipse
• Paint with water — and watch it evaporate
• Do sun salutations with yoga instructor, Michelle Israel
• Purchase sunflowers from Freckled Flower Farm
• We’ll have icy treats available (for purchase) at the ice cream cart

Eclipse Viewing Party at the Science Museum of Virginia

The moon is crashing the sun’s party, and we’re going to celebrate! Join us for a viewing party on our front lawn to celebrate the wonder of a solar eclipse. We haven’t seen a partial eclipse comparable to what we’ll see in August since May 1994, so come on down! Grab a seat in the Dome for special eclipsed-themed Cosmic Expeditions and have fun with sun, moon and star themed activities both inside and outside:

• Create Earth, moon and sun models that explain how an eclipse works
• Construct a cool mobile of the Earth, moon and sun
• Help us build a scale model of the solar system using astronomical measuring tape
• Design a sundial, a star map to identify constellations, or a star clock to tell time by the stars
• Create a fun summer image with sun print paper
• The first 500 guests will receive free eclipse viewing glasses with Museum admission, and a sweet eclipse party playlist will be playing outside.
• Local food trucks Cheezilla, King of Pops and Intergalactic Tacos will be onsite and we’ll have tasty eclipsed-themed craft beers available for purchase in the Periodic Table Café.

When: Monday, August 21st from noon – 4:00 PM

Solar Eclipse Bike Ride with Bike Walk RVA

Come ride with us to the Solar Eclipse viewing party – Aug 21, 2017 at the Science Museum of Virginia! We’ll lead a 1-mile ride from the Sports Backers office to the Science Museum at 1pm to make it there for the peak of the eclipse at 2:45pm. Come get lunar (and train up) before the #moonlightride on August 26!

When: Monday, August 21st from 1:00 – 1:30 PM

Solar Eclipse Viewing on Brown’s Island

Join Richmond’s National Parks, the American Civil War Museum, James River Parks, and Venture Richmond for a solar eclipse viewing on Brown’s Island! Staff will distribute 600 pairs of NASA-approved solar eclipse viewing glasses FREE. Don’t miss out on this unique event!

Also, kids can complete a National Park Service Solar Eclipse Junior Ranger booklet and earn a FREE limited edition Junior Ranger badge from 1-4. Be sure to get there early, as there will be just 200 booklets and badges available!
King of Pops will also be there selling their yummy treats for all!

When: Monday, August 21st from 1:00 – 4:00 PM

Solar Eclipse Viewing Party at Deep Run Park

Deep Run Park will host a Solar Eclipse Viewing Party Monday at 2:00 PM at the park, located at 9900 Ridgefield Parkway. Henrico Recreation & Parks will give away a limited supply of eclipse viewing glasses, there will be music and kids’ activities, and popsicles from King of Pops will be available for purchase.

The event will be held on the soccer fields in the back of Deep Run Park.

When: Monday, August 21st from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Public libraries

Three Richmond Public Libraries have announced viewing parties. They are the Main Branch, Hull Street Branch, and Broad Rock. There will be safety glasses and light refreshments provided.

Why you need eclipse glasses and where to find them

Examples of solar eclipse glasses

This is the most important information we need to get across. It may seem obvious, but looking directly at the sun, even when it is partially covered by the moon, can cause serious eye damage or blindness. NEVER look at a partial solar eclipse without proper eye protection. This message is especially important to pass onto any of the budding astronomers you might have with you.

Don’t mess with your peepers. Eclipse glasses are available locally at World of Mirth (as of Thursday 8/18 World of Mirth was sold out) and the Science Museum of Virginia. Lewis Ginter will have certified for safe viewing glasses for the first 500 guests to their viewing party, and Brown’s Island for the first 600. Many Walmart and Kroger stores in the area still have them available, too.

Both Richmond and Henrico County Public Libraries will have glasses available for free, but supplies are limited. We can’t guarantee any of the above locations will have you covered, but WTVR put together this frequently-updated list of places you can find eclipse glasses that you should check out before you venture out.

Finally, you want to ensure that your glasses are the real deal. Beware of eclipse glasses that are being sold despite the fact that they don’t actually offer any real protection from the sun. We won’t even bother listing the text labeling that these should bear, because some fraudsters are even including it on their packaging to trick unsuspecting consumers. But you’re no fool, right? Head on over to this page to see a list of reputable eclipse glasses vendors.

There’s an app for that

You shouldn’t be surprised that there are a ton of apps out there that want to “help” you with the eclipse. Many are a giant waste of time and should be catapulted into the sun. Avoid those and head on over to Space.com, which has a nice article ranking what they consider the Top 7 of Best Total Solar Eclipse Apps.

We went with the Smithsonian Eclipse App. Its Interactive Eclipse Map shows how much eclipse action you’ll get to see no matter where you are, and all the information is clearly presented.