The All American Total Solar Eclipse to be observed the East Kentucky Science Center and Varia Planetarium
PRESTONSBURG, Ky. – On Monday August 21st, the East Kentucky Science Center and Varia Planetarium on the campus of Big Sandy Community and Technical College will host an event to celebrate the All American Total Solar Eclipse.
A solar eclipse happens when the “new moon” moves in between the Earth and the Sun creating two shadows, a lighter shadow called the penumbra, the area of partial eclipse and a darker smaller shadow called the umbra the area of the total eclipse.
Here in Prestonsburg area the eclipse will begin at 1:06p.m. with the maximum at midpoint at 2:34p.m. The eclipse will end at 3:57p.m, although the Eclipse will not be “total” here in Eastern Kentucky at maximum eclipse, 94% of the sun will be covered.
“A total Solar eclipse hasn’t been visible in the contiguous 48 states in 38 years, and the next one will be in April of 2024. So we wanted to give everyone a chance to experience this event”, said Steve Russo, Science Center Director.
The East Kentucky Science Center and Varia Planetarium will be open from Noon until 5pm free of charge, the eclipse will be webcast on the planetarium dome and weather permitting, there will be outdoor observations using special sunspotter instruments and guests will receive free solar eclipse glasses! The Hubble exhibit will also be available for viewing until September 9, 2017.
For more information about the eclipse event call 606-889-8260 or visit them on the web at bigsandy.kctcs.edu/EKSC.
