RRPL hosts a solar eclipse viewing event

Would you like to gather together and experience Monday’s solar eclipse as a community?

The Round Rock Public Library hosts a solar eclipse viewing party Monday, Aug. 21, in Prete Plaza.

Safe viewing

The Library, a proud member of the STAR-Net initiative, was selected to distribute 1000 ISO-compliant safe solar eclipse glasses through a grant by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and the Space Science Institute. The Library distributed approximately half of the glasses through a public education activity July 29, and reserved the remaining glasses for the solar eclipse viewing party. Glasses will be distributed at the August 21 event on a first-come, first-served basis.

Because of high community interest in the event, small groups of attendees may be asked to share glasses to insure everyone has a chance to look directly at the eclipse. Sharing should not be too difficult, because eclipses unfold slowly, and a variety of other viewing techniques will be available, including solar scopes provided by the Williamson County Astronomy Club and various forms of pinhole viewers.

NASA’s livestream of the total eclipse will be broadcast in the Library’s Gallery.

Want to purchase a personal pair of glasses for the solar eclipse? Be careful with your eyes, and purchase only accredited safety glasses. The American Astronomical Society has information about certified glasses and links to vendors.

Event activities

The Solar Eclipse Viewing Party will include casual science and art activities, a festive solar eclipse music playlist, the Prete Plaza fountains for splashtime fun, and local vendor Flavorlicious Shave Ice. For more information and updates, follow the event on Facebook.

Get involved

Scientists are the solar eclipse as an opportunity to collect data that may help researchers understand more about the earth, the sun, the moon, and living creatures. If you’d like to participate, check out these Citizen Scientist opportunities!

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Source: City of Round Rock