SOLAR ECLIPSE: What to know, how to prepare for April 8

Ryan Bittan
·2 min read
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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A solar eclipse is happening Monday, April 8.

As seen from Salt Lake City, the eclipse will begin at 11:25 a.m. and last until 1:41 p.m., “with maximum coverage of 48.5% occurring at 12:32 p.m.,” according to Clark Planetarium.

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is partially or fully in between the Sun and Earth. On Monday, while Utahns will get to see the eclipse, it will be viewable to us as a “partial” solar eclipse, where the Moon will only partially cover the Sun from our point of view.

WATCH: Annular eclipse makes swath across central, southern Utah

The partial eclipse will be visible across almost all of North America, along with a small portion of western Europe, according to timeanddate.com. The narrow path of totality, however — where the Moon covers the Sun entirely — goes through Mexico (from Sinaloa to Coahuila), the U.S. (from Texas to Maine), and Canada (from Ontario to Newfoundland).

In preparation, Clark Planetarium is providing free solar eclipse viewing glasses to the community in anticipation of Monday’s event.

“Each person who visits Clark Planetarium can receive up to five pairs of complimentary eclipse viewing glasses leading up to the day of the eclipse, while supplies last,” a press release states.

Clark Planetarium is located at 110 South 400 West at The Gateway. The planetarium will also be hosting watch parties, with a little bit of education and some activities to go along with it.

The viewing parties will be happening on Monday, April 8 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the following locations:

  • Gary C. Swensen Valley Regional Park, 5100 S 2700 W, Taylorsville

  • Pioneer Park, 350 S 300 W, Salt Lake City

It is important to note that during a partial eclipse, there is no time when it is safe to look directly at the Sun without proper eye protection, according to the planetarium.

“It is never safe to look directly at the sun with the naked eye. Special filters are required to view these eclipses,” the release states.

Eclipse glasses are reportedly also available at Salt Lake County recreation centers and libraries, while supplies last.

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