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Beaver Valley residents, start planning a road trip if you want to see the total solar eclipse in all its true glory on April 8.
Heading north, toward what astronomers call The Line of Totality, will be your best option.
“As for living the true eclipse experience, if you are anywhere south of the Line of Totality then you will miss the complete darkening of the sky and the view of the sun’s atmosphere (the Corona),” said Frank Marzano of the Beaver County Amateur Astronomers.
“Erie, Edinboro, Pymatuning and Meadville are all within that area of totality,” Marzano said. “Northeast Ohio, too.”
If you go to Erie:Solar eclipse 2024: Erie is on the path of totality. This is what you should know
Still, skywatchers in Beaver Valley should get an interesting partial view of the eclipse, weather permitting, with Eclipse map from timeanddate.com calculating a 98 percent obscuration (occultation of one celestial body by the passage of another) over Beaver Falls, which lasted just under two and a half hours beginning at 2 p.m. on April 8.
Keep in mind that unlike grade school exams, there’s a big difference between 98 percent and 100 percent when it comes to solar eclipses, explained Amanda Iwaniec, director of theater operations at the Kamin Science Center in Pittsburgh.
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Because of where that Line of Totality falls, “There’s a big distinction between what people in Beaver County or Allegheny County will see compared to cities like Cleveland,” Iwaniec said.
You’ve heard a scientist make the comparison that being inside the Line of Totality is like having a VIP pass to Disney World, while not being inside that range would be like hanging out in the Disney World parking lot.
Skies will look less dark over Beaver Valley, “but it will just be a really cool partial solar eclipse,” Iwaniec said.
The newly renamed Kamin Science Center (formerly Carnegie Science Center) on Pittsburgh’s North Shore will host an eclipse viewing party with live streaming coverage from the Totality areas and other educational programming.
“A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun.” according to NASA. “The sky will become dark as if it were dawn or dusk.”
NASA says: “Safety is the number one priority when viewing a total solar eclipse. Make sure you know when it is necessary to wear specialized eye protection designed for solar viewing.”
The Beaver County Library System is ready to help.
Starting March 4, Beaver County Libraries will be distributing special solar eclipse glasses. Call or visit a Beaver County Library System location to reserve a free pair of glasses for the April 8 eclipse. This offer is valid while supplies last.
![Courtney Colaizzi of the Beaver County Library System and two Pennsylvania librarians at Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries (SEAL) training, using the type of eclipse glasses that Beaver County libraries will distribute.](https://www.timesonline.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2024/01/23/NBCT/72322682007-solareclipse.jpg?width=660&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
To get people excited about the eclipse, Beaver County Libraries will also host several events along with the Kamin Science Center’s portable planetarium, interactive presentations from the Pittsburgh Moonshot Museum, and Beaver County Amateur Astronomers.
“The library system wanted to shed some light (pun intended) on this natural phenomenon and make learning about it more accessible to our community,” said Courtney Colaizzi, the system’s social media and programs manager.
“In May 2023, I was accepted to participate in the State Library Association’s Solar Eclipse Workshop in Harrisburg to prepare for this year’s total eclipse,” Colaizzi said. “We received 2,000 pairs of solar eclipse glasses thanks to a generous grant from the Betty & Gordon Moore Foundation, as well as the STAR Library Network, based at the Space Sciences Institute’s National Interactive Learning Center.
“Each library will have their own method on how to distribute them, but realistically you’ll only need one or two pairs per family,” Colaizzi said. “
“The library system has a limited number of telescopes available to check out,” Colaizzi said. “We don’t recommend using them for the solar eclipse, but we are working on creating a solar filter for our Stargazers Kit.” Those kits include a beginner’s telescope, three lenses, a smartphone adapter with wireless remote control, instructional guides, and a star map.
![The Star Gazers Kit is available in the Beaver County Library System.](https://www.timesonline.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2024/01/23/NBCT/72323615007-star-gazers-contents-1.png?width=660&height=554&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Beaver Libraries Eclipse Event Calendar:
*Feb. 22, 6 p.m. Mission to the Moon. Free for ages 5-12 at Laughlin Memorial Library in Ambridge along with Pittsburgh’s Moonshot Space Museum. Witness dazzling animations, explosive science demonstrations, and listen to ground crew members make it all happen. Registration is required at 724-266-3857.
*Feb. 29, 6 pm Galactic trivia, free for ages 10 and up, at the Carnegie Free Library in Beaver Falls. Trivia about the solar system, with some “Star Wars” and “Big Bang Theory” trivia included for more out-of-this-world fun.
*On March 4, distribution of Solar Eclipse glasses begins in the Beaver County Library System.
*March 19, 11 am, space-themed trivia for ages 10 and up at the Monaca Public Library. Call 724-775-9608 for more details on the free event.
*March 21, 6 pm Beaver County Amateur Astronomers offer a free event for teens and adults at the Beaver Area Memorial Library. Virtually embark on a high-octane lunar science expedition with Pittsburgh’s Moonshot Space Museum and take a look at the work of Western Pennsylvania’s space industry professionals. Registration is required by calling 724-775-1132.
*April 8, Portable planetarium and solar evening, Free for ages kindergarten through adults, at the BF Jones Memorial Library, Aliquippa. Embark on a cosmic adventure on the same day as the total solar eclipse, with the Kamin (formerly Carnegie) Science Center’s inflatable planetarium. Explore planets, moons and cosmic wonders with stunning HD projections. Details of the evening, including times, will be available soon. Registration is required at 724-375-2900.
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More events
Beaver County amateur astronomers plan to spend the day of the eclipse at Penn State Behrend in Erie for an event that is still being finalized.
With Cleveland in the path of totality, the Great Lakes Science Center will host Total Eclipse Festival 2024, a three-day heavenly celebration in the city’s north shore harbor starting April 6. The outdoor family event will include hands-on science activities, a free community concert by the Cleveland Orchestra on April 7, food vendors, entertainment, NASA experts interacting with the public, and free eclipse viewing glasses (while supplies last). .
Wineries and craft breweries in the northwestern Pennsylvania and Cleveland area are already announcing their eclipse viewing parties.
![The solar corona surrounds the completely eclipsed sun in this photograph of the August 21, 2017, eclipse near Silverton, Oregon. Another total solar eclipse will cross the United States from Texas to Maine on April 8, 2024.](https://www.timesonline.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2024/01/25/USAT/72354929007-usatsi-22149164.jpg?width=660&height=528&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
The Venango County city of Franklin will be in the path of totality and is planning a Solar Eclipse of the Heart Wellness Festival on April 8.
Kamin Science Center will soon announce the schedule for its eclipse party.
“We hope people can come out to learn more about the solar eclipse and join us in celebrating this fantastic phenomenon,” Iwaniec said.
The next solar eclipse over the United States won’t take place for another 20 years, on August 23, 2044, over Montana and parts of the Dakotas.
Iwaniec said there is increased interest in the April eclipse because the Line of Totality covers an area with large populations, not above, say, some remote part of Wyoming.
A solar eclipse is predicted in 2026 for Greenland and a solar eclipse in 2027 over Egypt.
“But this one is literally in our backyard,” Iwaniec said.
And the rumor is increasing.
Even in a partial viewing area, Raccoon Creek State Park in Hanover Township anticipates “extremely high visitor use that day” from people eager to experience the eclipse, said Emily Borcz, program assistant for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. state.
Beaver County residents can enjoy the eclipse from their backyards.
Although if you compare that flavor to wine, “Beaver Valley will taste like Ripple, and north of I-80 will taste like the best vintage ever made,” Marzano said.
Further:Pittsburgh’s Heinz History Center nominated for ‘Best History Museum’ by USA Today
Scott Tady is entertainment editor of the Beaver County Times and can be reached at stady@gannett.co.meter.