Eclipse begins locally around 11:46 Monday morning

Viewers from coast-to-coast will be able to witness the solar eclipse Monday, from anywhere in North America. According to NASA, the dark shadow of the moon will sweep in a line from Oregon to South Carolina, putting 14 states in the path of totality and providing a view of a partial eclipse across all 50 states.

Local amateur astronomer, Dr. James Clarke, says the eclipse across the Twin Lakes Area will involve approximately 94 percent totality. It will start partially at approximately 11:46 a.m. with the maximum coverage occurring in the early afternoon at approximately 1:16. The end of the partial eclipse to the other side of the sun will be around 2:44 in the afternoon.

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Experts warn to never look directly into the sun. NASA has safety recommendations along with places to find reputable vendors of solar filters and viewers at https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety.Missouri State Parks officials say they can’t verify that solar eclipse glasses the agency sold meet safety standards and are warning people not to use them.

The agency on Friday warned people not to use PMS Promo Mart eclipse glasses and viewers sold at parks and historic sites in Missouri during Monday’s solar eclipse. People who purchased the glasses can return them for a full refund.

The American Astronomical Society’s solar eclipse task force has put out a list of approved manufacturers of eclipse eyewear. An article including safety and types of safe eyewear can be found at https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/eyewear-viewers.

Students across the Twin Lakes Area will be looking at the eclipse through NASA approved glasses if part of a class activity. Most classes will be viewing it via live streaming on the internet.

Other eclipse related events across the community include the Donald W. Reynolds Library hosting presentations from 11:45 to 1:45. They will have a limited number of glasses available for loan. Professional photographer and “backyard” astronomer Jerry Wilcoxen will be on hand with solar filtered binoculars to look through.

Arvest Bank will be having a “moon pie and sun chip” party at all of their locations in North Central Arkansas. ASU Mountain Home will also have a “moon pie and sunkist” party on Keller Green from 11:30 to 12:30. Atendees will be able to create a pinhole eclipse viewing device. NASA’s live streaming of the eclipse will be in the Gaston Lobby of the ASUMH campus.

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