Share your solar eclipse photos from around Bucks County, Montco with us. Here's how
Are you going to be watching the solar eclipse? Have a celestial gathering planned? Let us in on the action.
Send us your photos from today's eclipse and we will feature it in our photo gallery. Just send the photo and a bit of information about what's in it, including names of any one in it and where it was taken.
Our photo gallery will be up as soon as our photgraphers and our readers start shooting and sharing their images of the solar eclipse and all the fun around it. Send your photos to editor Danielle Camilli at dcamilli@theintell.com.
Track the solar eclipse here and find out when it will be best viewable in Bucks County
Tracking the solar eclipse? We have you covered as you figure out the best time to observe nature's high-tech phenomenon. Just use your ZIP code.
Star watchers can also follow the solar eclipse using USA Today's interactive solar eclipse tool.
The eclipse, nicknamed the Great American Eclipse of 2024, will begin about 2:09 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, and end at 4:35 p.m. The maximum eclipse time is 3:23 p.m.
I know I shouldn't look directly at the sun. But what about my phone?
Many residents know not to look directly at the sun during an eclipse. But is pointing a phone or other camera OK?
Photography experts caution against doing so unless the optics are fitted with a certified solar filter. Cameras can magnify the intensity and brightness of sunlight, B & H Photo and Video says, which can damage equipment.
Experts also warn that pointing a phone at the sun could "fry" the device. They instead recommend shielding the lens with eclipse glasses or obtaining a solar lens ahead of time.
Your eclipse guide: It's solar eclipse day in Bucks County. What you need to know to get the best view April 8
When does it begin?
Though Delawareans won't be able to see a full eclipse of the sun, the partial eclipse begins at 2:07 p.m. and ends at 4:34 p.m. on Monday, April 8.
The maximum eclipse begins at 3:23 p.m.
For the 0.55% of the population, or 43.8 million people who will be able to see the total eclipse, it will be visible at 4:41 p.m. The duration of totality will last four minutes and 27 seconds, nearly double that of the total solar eclipse seen in the United States in 2017, according to Great American Eclipse.
Where to watch the eclipse in Bucks County and Philadelphia?
Bucks County Free Library to livestream solar eclipse; hosting observation party at two branches
The Bucks County Free Library will host an observation party at its Levittown branch and will livestream the solar eclipse from its Yardley branch.
"Join us at the library to celebrate the solar eclipse event with crafts and activities for children," read a portion of the eclipse party invite from the free library. "Attendees will receive a free pair of eclipse glasses (while supplies last) to view the solar eclipse!"
The watch party begins at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, April 8, at the Levittown branch, 7311 New Falls Road.
The Bucks County Free Library will also livestream NASA's live broadcast of the solar eclipse from its Yardley branch, 1080 Edgewood Road.
"Join us for a NASA broadcast of the 2024 total solar eclipse," read the invite. "Watch telescope live feeds of the total solar eclipse across the path and grab your eclipse glasses (while supplies last) to view the actual solar eclipse with us at it's maximum coverage around 3:20pm. ln Bucks County, we will see about 90% of the sun covered by the eclipse."
Grundy Library, Bristol
Grundy Library will have an event from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Monday, including crafts, "live-casting via NASA from the point of totality, and encouraging participants to be citizen scientists by recording data in the Globe Observer App. Additionally, we will be offering a raffle to all those attending the Total Eclipse event on April 8 for a Franklin Institute year-long Family Membership." No eclipse glasses will be given out, so bring your own.
Washington Crossing and Fort Washington parks
Fort Washington State Park will host a 30-minute children’s education program about the science behind eclipses beginning at 11 a.m. at the Hawk Watch Deck at Lot 5. The event, “Learn With A Ranger: Eclipses, the Cosmic Ballet,” is for children ages 6-12 and touches on how other cultures have viewed eclipses in the past. The park is located at 447 Militia Hill Road.
Washington Crossing Historic Park is also hosting an eclipse viewing party from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., though the exact meeting location is only available through registration by emailing mtruesdale@pa.gov. The event has also reached its maximum registration to provide free eyewear, so attendees will need to bring their own, wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather.
More: Bucks County high school sports take cover from solar eclipse
Evolution Candy at Star Garden Park, Doylestown
The candy store is organizing a watch event at Star Garden Park from 1 to 4 p.m. There will be cotton candy and other treat and snacks with an eclipsed-themed playlist keeping the party going. The store has eclipse glasses available while supplies last. The park off State Street, directly behind Evolution Candy, has outdoor seating and is "an excellent viewing spot."
'Solar eclipse beach party' at Temple University
The Temple University College of Science and Technology is hosting a "Solar Eclipse Beach party" at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 8, at the Beury Hall beach, 1901 N. 13th St., Philadelphia.
"See the eclipse through multiple solar viewing telescopes, on monitors and with protective eyewear", read a portion of Temple University's post for the event. "The eclipse, where the path of the moon crosses in front of the sun, will cover nine-tenths of the sun’s surface locally. This is a 'deep partial' solar eclipse, where the sky will get noticeably darker, brighter stars and the planets Jupiter and Venus will be visible and the sun’s profile will be reduced to a slender crescent.
What you won't find is an actual beach. The area is a grass field near the school's Bell Tower and perfect for blankets and lawn chairs.
Vist Philadelphia also lists spots in Philadelphia to observe the solar ecplise:
Cira Green, 129 S. 30th. St.
Fairmount Park, accessible via Belmont Ave., Parkside Ave., North 33rd. St., and Girard Ave.
The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th. St. Franklin Institute "is holding a free 2024 Solar Eclipse viewing party from 1:30 pm. to 5:30 pm. in front of the museum steps along 20th Street sidewalk." It's billed as a community-wide viewing party where visitors can "safely observe the solar eclipse under our large solar filter tents, or through our specially equipped telescopes—or even your own eclipse glasses."
"Solar Eclipse Viewing" parties are also set for these locations in Philadelphia:
The Falls of Schuylkill Branch Library is holding a solar eclispe event at its location, 3501 Midvale Avenue. Free glasses for safe solar viewing are provided while supplies last and there will also be family-friendly activities. There will be a LightSound device, a tool developed for the blind and low vision community to experience solar eclipses with sound. For more information, astrolab.fas.harvard.edu/LightSound.html
Wyoming Free Library of Philadelphia at 231 E. Wyoming Ave. is also having a party with solar eclipse glasses available as supplies allow. The viewing party will follow with crafts and other activities related to the eclipse. The program is for school age children but all ages are welcome. Information: https://www.facebook.com/events/954097063049969
Marconi Park in South Philly will have a gathering on the west side of Broad Street in the open area near the playground. Free glasses for safe solar viewing will be available as supplies last and there will be family activities. Information: https://www.facebook.com/events/7231867710206972
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Solar eclipse photos: Get your glasses on, share Bucks County images
