The Solar Eclipse in Scottsdale: All You Need to Know!

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Solar Eclipse Scottsdale
A solar eclipse is making it’s way across the United States on August 21 and you are not going to want to miss it! The next eclipse won’t be visible in the U.S. until 2024 and that will only be visible in the Eastern states. The path of the August eclipse will stretch from coast to coast of the U.S. (Oregon to South Carolina). This is a great opportunity to talk about something rare and fun with your kids and experience a historical moment with them. 

What you need to know….

  • What is a Total Solar Eclipse?? A path where the moon will completely cover the sun and the sun’s tenuous atmosphere, the corona, can be seen. 
  • We will not see a TOTAL eclipse in Scottsdale. You would need to be in the direct path of the eclipse for that. In our city, we will see a partial eclipse with roughly 63% of the sun blocked. 
  • The eclipse will last about 2 1/2 hours, with the portion when the moon totally obscures the sun really only lasting about two minutes, so you will want to be prepared! 

Best time in Scottsdale to view the solar eclipse on August 21: 
Begins: 9:14 am
Partial Eclipse: 10:34 am 
Ends: 12 pm 

Watch SAFELY!….

It is very dangerous to watch the partial eclipse from Scottsdale with the naked eye. Before August 21, please read this helpful information so you know how to safely watch yourself and watch with your children. 

  • You can buy special glasses that are made for looking at eclipses. Many can be found on Amazon, but do your research to find out requirements and when the glasses need to be worn. 
  • You can also watch safely by making a home-made pinhole camera or with two index cards (poke a hole in one card with a safety pin. Hold the card up to the sun allowing the sunlight to stream through the hole and onto the second card. While the eclipse happens, you’ll see a projected image of the sun on your card) 
Eclipse Events….
 
Arizona Science Center: 9-12 the Science Center and Phoenix Astronomical Society will be hosting a viewing party. They will have solar filtered telescopes, viewing glasses for first 50 families and a Q&A for kids.  
 
ASU Campus: 9-12 Join ASU on Hayden Lawn or in Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building IV on the Tempe camps to peer through solar telescopes and sport brand-new, free, ASU solar-safe viewing glasses. Plus, there will be live NASA coverage of the event and more interactive displays inside ISTB4. 
 
Total Eclipse of the Sun Run: Register to run a 5K or 10K to celebrate the eclipse. 
 

1 COMMENT

  1. Great info! I know I’m not alone when I say I am so excited for this and can’t wait to see this amazing event. Thanks for the tips and information to help get the best view.

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