The Sky Event of the Decade: August’s “All-American” Eclipse of the Sun and How to View it Safely With Astronomer Andrew Fraknoi (Foothill College)

On Monday, August 21, 2017, there will be an eclipse of the Sun visible throughout the U.S. and all of North America.  People in a narrow path from Oregon to South Carolina will see a spectacular total eclipse, with the Moon briefly covering the Sun, and day turning into night.  Everyone else (an estimated 500 million people, including all of us in the Bay Area) will see a partial eclipse, where the Moon covers a good part of the Sun.  Special glasses or viewing techniques are needed to look at the Sun safely during a partial eclipse (sunglasses are NOT enough). 

 

In this illustrated, nontechnical talk, astronomer Andrew Fraknoi, will describe how eclipses work, why they are one of nature’s most spectacular sights, what scientists learn during eclipses, exactly when and where the eclipse of 2017 will be visible, and how to observe the eclipse and the Sun safely. 

At the conclusion of the program, everyone will receive a pair of certified safe eclipse-viewing glasses, courtesy of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.  We will be giving out the remainder of our Solar Viewing glasses on Monday, August 21 at 10am for our Central Park Viewing. Meet at the Parkside Entrance of the Central Park Library at 10am and then we walk over to the best viewing spot in the park. 

 

Event is Full -- Register at solar-eclipse-cpl-fraknoi.eventbrite.com 

 

Andrew Fraknoi is the chair of the astronomy department at Foothill College and the co-author of a new children’s book about eclipses When the Sun Goes Dark (2017, NSTA Kids.)  He serves on the 2017 Eclipse Task Force of the American Astronomical Society, training teachers and librarians to act as guides for the public as the August eclipse approaches. He has appeared regularly on local and national radio, explaining astronomical developments in everyday language and was named California Professor of the Year in 2007.  In 2016, a project sponsored the Gates and Hewlett Foundations made the college astronomy textbook he is the lead author on available free in electronic form nationwide.  The International Astronomical Union has named Asteroid 4859 Asteroid Fraknoi to honor his contributions to the public understanding of science.

 

Copies of Professor Fraknoi’s children’s book on eclipses will be available for sale and signing after the talk.