An annular solar eclipse is coming Saturday, October 14, and you can view it safely with the help of a special event from the Rock Island Public Library.
View the annular solar eclipse at a special Solar Eclipse viewing party at the Rock Island Public Library Watts-Midtown Branch, 2715 30th Street. Events run from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm on Saturday, October 14. The event is recommended for families with school-age children, teens, and adults.
Since the eclipse lasts from 10:30 am to 1:20 pm, participants should bring a chair or blanket. The library will offer yard games and activities inside and outside the branch, on the lawn towards the back of the parking lot. The NASA livestream will be shown in the branch auditorium, providing viewing even if conditions are cloudy.
During a partial or annular solar eclipse, the sun should be viewed only through a safe solar filter that meets ISO 12312-2:2015 certification.The Library will supply certified solar safe eclipse glasses or viewers at a limit of two per family for use at the event. Glasses will also be available at the library’s Downtown and Southwest locations on October 14 while supplies last. There will be no advance distribution. A total eclipse across North America occurs Monday, April 8, so attendees are encouraged to save their glasses.
The solar safe glasses and viewers were awarded to the Rock Island Public Library through grants from the STAR Library Education Network's SEAL (Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries) initiative which received major funding support from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and from Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) through a grant in part from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS.)
For more services and events from the Rock Island Library, visit the library website, call 309-732-READ, or follow Library social media sites.