Getting you ready for the total solar eclipse, Beaver County’s Library System has a bunch of out-of-this-world celebrations planned
Here are all the details about 2024’s total solar eclipse
2023 was a huge year for Sun activity and it’s looking like 2024 is going to be no different. This spring there is going to be a total solar eclipse.
Start planning a car trip, Beaver Valley residents, if you want to see the Total Solar Eclipse in all its true glory April 8.
Heading north, to what astronomers call The Line of Totality will be your best bet.
“As for getting the true eclipse experience, if you’re anywhere south of the Line of Totality then you will miss the complete darkening of the sky, and the view of the sun’s atmosphere (the Corona),” said Frank Marzano, of the Beaver County Amateur Astronomers.
“Erie, Edinboro, Pymatuning, Meadville are all within that area of totality,” Marzano said. “Northeast Ohio, also.”
If you go to Erie: Solar eclipse 2024: Erie is in path of totality. Here’s what to know
Still, skygazers in the Beaver Valley should get an interesting partial view of the eclipse, weather permitting, with timeanddate.com’s Eclipse Map calculating a 98 percent obscuration − concealment of one celestial body by the passage of another − above Beaver Falls, lasting just short of two-and-a-half hours starting at 2 p.m. April 8.
Keep in mind that, unlike grade school exams, there’s a big difference between 98 percent and 100 percent when it comes to solar eclipses, explained Amanda Iwaniec, director of theater operations at the Kamin Science Center in Pittsburgh.
Name change: So long Carnegie Science Center, hello Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin Science Center
Because of where that Line of Totality falls, “There’s a big distinction between what people in Beaver County or Allegheny County will see compared to cities like Cleveland,” Iwaniec said.
She’s heard a scientist make the comparison that being within the Line of Totality is like having a VIP pass to Disney World, while not being within that range would be like hanging out in the Disney World parking lot.
The skies will look less dim above the Beaver Valley, “but it will just be a really cool, partial solar eclipse,” Iwaniec said.
The recently renamed Kamin Science Center (formerly the Carnegie Science Center) on Pittsburgh’s North Shore will host an eclipse viewing party with live stream coverage from Totality areas and other educational programming.
“A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun,” according to NASA. “The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk.”
NASA says, “Safety is the No. 1 priority when viewing a total solar eclipse. Be sure you’re familiar with when you need to wear specialized eye protection designed for solar viewing.”
The Beaver County Library System stands poised to help.
Beginning March 4, Beaver County libraries will distribute special solar eclipse eyewear. Call or visit a Beaver County Library System location to reserve a free pair of glasses for the eclipse on April 8. This offer is while supplies last.
To get people excited for the eclipse, Beaver County libraries also will co-host several events with The Kamin Science Center’s Portable Planetarium, Pittsburgh’s Moonshot Museum’s interactive presentations and Beaver County Amateur Astronomers.
“The library system wanted to shed some light − pun intended − on this natural phenomenon and make learning about it more accessible for our community,” Courtney Colaizzi, the system’s program and social media manager, said.
“In May 2023, I was accepted to participate with the State Library Association’s Solar Eclipse Workshop in Harrisburg to prepare for this year’s total eclipse,” Colaizzi said. “We were awarded 2,000 pairs of solar eclipse glasses thanks to a generous grant from the Betty & Gordon Moore Foundation as well as the STAR Library Network, based at the National Center for Interactive Learning at the Space Science Institute.
“Each library will have their own method on how to distribute them, but, realistically, you’ll only need one or two pair for a family,” Colaizzi said. “
“The library system has a limited number of telescopes available to borrow,” Colaizzi said. “We don’t recommend using them for the solar eclipse, but we are working on creating a solar filter for our Stargazers Kit.” Those kits include a beginner’s telescope, three lenses, smart phone adapter with wireless remote, instructional guides and a map of the stars.
Beaver libraries eclipse events schedule:
*Feb. 22, 6 p.m. Mission to The Moon. Free for ages 5-12 at Laughlin Memorial Library in Ambridge joined by the Moonshot Space Museum of Pittsburgh. Witness dazzling animations, explosive science demos and hear from ground team members making it all happen. Registration is necessary at 724-266-3857.
*Feb. 29, 6 p.m. Galactic Trivia, free for ages 10 and older, at the Carnegie Free Library of Beaver Falls. Trivia about the solar system, with some “Star Wars” and “Big Bang Theory” trivia thrown in for more out-of-this-world fun.
*March 4, Solar Eclipse Eyewear distribution begins in the Beaver County Library System.
*March 19, 11 a.m., space-themed trivia for ages 10 and older at the Monaca Public Library. Call 724-775-9608 for more details on the free event.
*March 21, 6 p.m. The Beaver County Amateur Astronomers offers a free event for teens and adults at Beaver Area Memorial Library. Virtually embark on a high-octane lunar science expedition with the Moonshot Space Museum of Pittsburgh and get a sneak peek at the work of western Pennsylvania space industry professionals. Registration is required by calling 724-775-1132.
*April 8, Portable Planetarium & Solar Soiree, free for ages kindergarten to adult, at the B.F. Jones Memorial Library, Aliquippa. Embark on a cosmic adventure on the same day as the Total Solar Eclipse, with the Kamin (formerly Carnegie) Science Center’s inflatable planetarium. Explore planets, moons and cosmic wonders with stunning HD projections. Soiree details, including times, coming soon. Registration is required at 724-375-2900.
Eclipse access: What to know about Presque Isle State Park officials’ plan on handling 2024 eclipse crowd
More events
Beaver County Amateur Astronomers are planning to spend eclipse day at Penn State Behrend in Erie for an event still being finalized.
With Cleveland in the Path of Totality, the Great Lakes Science Center will host Total Eclipse Fest 2024, a three-day celestial celebration at the city’s North Coast Harbor starting April 6. The outdoor, family-friendly event will feature hands-on science activities, a free community concert performance by The Cleveland Orchestra on April 7, food vendors, entertainment, NASA experts engaged with the public and free eclipse viewing glasses (while supplies last).
Northwest Pennsylvania and Cleveland area wineries and craft breweries already are advertising their eclipse viewing parties.
The Venango County city Franklin will be in the path of totality and is planning a Solar Eclipse of the Heart Wellness Festival on April 8.
Kamin Science Center soon will announce its eclipse party programming.
“We hope people are able to make it out to learn more about the solar eclipse and join us in a celebration for this cool phenomenon,” Iwaniec said.
The next solar eclipse above the U.S. won’t take place for another 20 years, Aug. 23, 2044, above Montana and parts of the Dakotas.
Iwaniec said there’s heightened interest in the April eclipse because the Line of Totality covers an area with large populations, not above, say, some remote part of Wyoming.
A 2026 solar eclipse is set for Greenland, and a 2027 solar eclipse will be above Egypt.
“But this one’s literally in our backyard,” Iwaniec said.
And the buzz is growing.
Even in a partial viewership area, Raccoon Creek State Park in Hanover Township anticipates “extremely high visitor use that day” from people eager to experience the eclipse, said Emily Borcz, program assistant for the state Department of Conservation & Natural Resources.
Beaver County-ites can get a taste of the eclipse from their backyards.
Though if you compared that taste to wine, “Beaver Valley will taste like Ripple, and north of I-80 will taste like the best vintage ever made,” Marzano said.
More: Pittsburgh’s Heinz History Center nominated as ‘Best History Museum’ by USA Today
Scott Tady is entertainment editor at the Beaver County Times and easy to reach at [email protected]m.
Dr. Sarah Adams is a scientist and science communicator who makes complex topics accessible to all. Her articles explore breakthroughs in various scientific disciplines, from space exploration to cutting-edge research.
