How to watch the eclipse in Fresno. There are free and inexpensive eclipse glasses
The Central Valley won’t get to experience a total solar eclipse on Monday, but Fresno area residents will witness 50.9% coverage, and there’s at least one free event in Fresno for experiencing the event.
“We’re going to be possibly up to about 51%. So, about half the sun’s going to be covered by the moon, which is great,” said Steven Harness, an instructor with the physics department at Fresno State.
A free, public solar eclipse viewing event will be held from 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Downing Planetarium at Fresno State. The Physics Department is setting up solar telescopes for public use to safely view the eclipse.
A free planetarium program also will be available for viewing inside the 72-seat star theater during the celestial event. The program, “Lights Out! Eclipses: Whys, Wonders and Wows” will examine the cause of eclipses and their importance throughout history. It will run at 11:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.
Solar eclipse glasses will be available to purchase for $5 each at the planetarium (5320 N. Maple Ave., on the northeast corner of Maple and San Ramon avenues, south of Barstow Avenue).
Several stores around town have solar eclipse glasses for sale. The Fresno County Public Library has solar viewing glasses for free at Fresno Library branches while supplies last.
“It is not recommended to view a partial eclipse, even for an instant, without proper eye protection,” said Dr. Steven White, Fresno State physics professor and director of the Downing Planetarium.
If people stare at the eclipse for too long, ultraviolet radiation will enter the eyes and the wavelengths of ultraviolet is what gives people sunburn and will damage the eyes.
“We don’t want that to happen. So, you can get those solar eclipse glasses,” Harness said.
What to expect
The partial solar eclipse will begin at 10:12 a.m., will reach its maximum at 11:15 a.m. and will end at 12:21 p.m.
Harness said when the eclipse is at its maximum, people can notice that it would look like it is overcast.
“A cloudy day, but it’s going to be sunshine,” he said.
People should not look at the sun directly.
“You need to either project it onto the surface or, have those solar eclipse glasses to safely view the sun,” Harness said.
Harness doesn’t recommend people using welding masks because they must be a specific grade because even though the sun is being blocked, people will still get ultraviolet radiation. If people use welding masks they need to be a non-photo grade and 12 shades or higher.
Fresno Unified School District schools will be in session on Monday, said Diana Diaz, director of communications for the FUSD.
At Clovis Unified School District, students at Red Bank Elementary will be having a solar day. The school principal Amanda Torres purchased solar viewing glasses for all staff and students, and they will have an all-school viewing event.
According to Torres, a visitor from NASA, David McGee, will be on hand narrating the event that occurs around 11:10 a.m. In addition, the school has deemed Monday as “Shine Bright” dress up day, as a nod to the sun, and the Parent Teacher Club is providing everyone “Moon Pies” as a nod to the moon.
What’s the path
Harness said people living in eastern Texas, Eastern Mexico all the way up the Mississippi River, Ohio River out through western New York and into Newfoundland will experience the total eclipse.
“The eclipse is really fascinating because a solar eclipse covers such a narrow part of the Earth. You almost have to be in the exact right place at the right time in order to see it,” Harness said.
The last time there was a solar eclipse was in August of 2017 that went through Oregon and across the country. At that time Fresno area had about 30 to 40 % coverage.
Harness said that on Aug. 12, 2045, a total solar eclipse will cut through Northern California near Redding.
“That’s 21 years away from here, but we will be 93% covered,” he said. “And it’s only a three-hour drive to Sacramento to get into the total eclipse party.”
If you wonder when Fresno is going to get hit with a total eclipse, it’s going to be year 2106, 82 years in the future, Harness said.
“I’ll be 152 years old at that time. So, I don’t think I will see that,” Harness said. “But it’s going to cross near Morro Bay, cut across and hit right in Visalia, right it’s dead center. And go across the country and exit off at the Great Lakes and to Canada.”
“So, in the year 2106, Central Valley is going to get hit with a total eclipse, but that’s 82 years in the future,” he said.
