Two solar eclipses are coming to North America!

Annular Solar Eclipse, Saturday, October 14, 2023- begins in Oregon at 9:13 am PDT and ends in Texas at 12:03 pm CDT

Total Solar Eclipse, Monday, April 8, 2024

Eclipse simulator and additional information

  • The Annular Solar Eclipse of October 14, 2023
  • NASA: 2023 Annular Eclipse

  • Definitions
    • An annular eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth when it is at or near its farthest point from Earth. Because of its distance from Earth, the Moon appears smaller than the Sun and does not completely cover. We will see the Moon as a dark disk with a ring around it.
    • A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth and completely blocks the face of the Sun. Anyone in the center of the Moon's shadow when it hits Earth will experience a total eclipse. At this time, weather permitting, people in the path of a total solar eclipse can see the Sun's corona (the outer atmosphere), which is usually obscured by the bright ace of the sun. A total solar eclipse is the only type of solar eclipse where viewers can momentarily remove their eclipse glasses for the brief period of time when the Moon is completely blocking the Sun.

Visit the NASA eclipses site to learn more about the difference between an annular eclipse and a total eclipse.

Use appropriate eye protection!

Traditional eyewear (sunglasses, eyeglasses with tinted lenses, etc.) are not sufficient to shield your eyes during a solar eclipse. The only safe ways to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun are through eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewers manufactured to international safety standards. Learn more about safety during the eclipse here.

SEAL

The Fresno County Public Library has received solar eclipse glasses from the Space Science Institute, through its Solar Activities for Libraries (SEAL) program.
Get your free solar eclipse viewing glasses!
To receive your solar viewing glasses, while supplies last, attend one of our Library Card Sign Up Month programs or complete the Beanstack Bingo challenge.

Don't have eclipse glasses? Make your own pinhole projector!

With a cereal box, some scissors, paper, aluminum foil, tape, and a little patience, you can create a pinhole camera that allows you to view the eclipse indirectly but safely.

Pinhole projectors can be made of various materials, but the instructions for this one (from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center) are especially user-friendly.




The Exploratorium has some other suggestions!

Livestream the eclipse!

You can access the live stream of the event on the Exploratorium's website and mobile apps, or on NASA television, via NASA TV feeds, the NASA app, and social media.

Homeschooling, or hoping to take advantage of some "teachable moments" during the eclipse?

STARnet, in partnership with Cornerstones of Science, has put together instructions for projects to teach families about solar eclipses.

Want to learn more?