How to stream and where to watch the solar eclipse 2024 in Bucks County
The Great North American Eclipse will make its sky debut on Monday, encouraging eager watchers to view the phenomenon.
Curious to know what events and viewing options are available for you? Keep reading.
How to stream the solar eclipse 2024
Can't make it outdoors to view the eclipse in person or won't be in a good spot? No worries.
USA Today will provide livestream services for the Monday eclipse via YouTube.
NASA will also provide streaming with additional commentary as the eclipse progresses.
How to view the eclipse safely
Planning on looking up? For the sake of your eyesight, be sure to have the correct protection.
Eclipse glasses with the ISO number 12312-12 should be used to view the event, not regular sunglasses. These special lenses are stronger and skew light darker in order to effectively protect the retinas from the sun's rays.
Dr. Sunir Garg, a professor of ophthalmology and co-director of the Retina Research Unit at The Retina Service of Wills Eye Hospital, explained that looking directly at the eclipse with inadequate protection can cause lasting damage to the retinas.
This happens because the lens and cornea located at the front of the eye focus light into the back of the eye, where the retina is. Light and heat rays from the sun being focused into the eye can actually burn the retinas, causing permanent damage to a person's vision.
More: Where to get solar eclipse glasses, and how to make your own projector
Where to see 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 3:20 pm. 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.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Where to stream, how to safely watch solar eclipse 2024 in Bucks County
