Ballard Library to host solar eclipse viewing party

Ballard Library, along with 14 other city libraries, will host a solar eclipse viewing party for those who can’t make it to other parts of the country for the real thing. At 10 am on Monday, August 21, the Ballard branch will begin streaming NASA’s Live Eclipse Megacast as the solar eclipse moves across North America.

Seattle Public Library will also be distributing a limited number of viewing glasses starting on August 1, and is hosting a number of solar eclipse information sessions at branches around the city leading up to the event.

The solar eclipse glasses must be picked up in-person at library locations — no phone call or email reservations will be accepted, and the glasses will be available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. “Please limit glasses to one pair per family — the eclipse is over two hours long and there is plenty of time to share,” the librarians say.

Seattle Public Libraries will host the following events leading up to the eclipse:

• Get Ready for the Eclipse! – Join Dennis Schatz, nationally recognized astronomy educator, for an interactive presentation to learn when the eclipse will occur, how to view it safely, and why it has been so long since we’ve seen a total solar eclipse. His children’s book about eclipses, “When the Sun Goes Dark,” will be available for purchase and signing. For all ages.
  • 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 26 at the Columbia Branch, 4721 Rainier Ave. S., 206-386-1908.
  • 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 29 at the Beacon Hill Branch, 2821 Beacon Ave. S., 206-684-4711.
  • 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 30 at the Greenwood Branch, 8016 Greenwood Ave. N., 206-684-4086.
  • 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5 at the Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Level 1, Microsoft Auditorium, 206-386-4675.
  • 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 12 at the NewHolly Branch, 7058 32nd Ave. S., 206-386-1905.
  • 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12 at the West Seattle Branch, 2306 42nd Ave. S.W., 206-684-7444.
• Solar Eclipse Lecture – Bryan Brewer, author of “Eclipse: History. Science. Awe,” will give a talk about the history, science and observation of eclipses. Learn the simple secrets of how eclipses occur, and why they continue to rivet the human imagination. For all ages.
  • 6 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Monday, July 31 at the Southwest Branch, 9010 35th Ave. S.W., 206-684-7455
• Who Stole the Sun? – What’s an eclipse? ​How do eclipses happen? What can I use to safely watch the eclipse on Aug. 21? Find out answers to these questions and more. For all ages.
  • 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9 at the Northeast Branch, 6801 35th Ave. N.E., 206-684-7539.
• Where Did the Sun Go? – Join our librarians to learn when the eclipse will occur, how to view it safely and to participate in fun eclipse activities. For ages 5 and up.
  • 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 14 at the Capitol Hill Branch, 425 Harvard Ave. E., 206-684-4715.
• Tinkerlab: Solar Eclipse – Learn about the eclipse, then make and take home a pinhole projection viewer to safely view the eclipse. There will also be fun experiments with the sun’s UV rays. For ages 12 and under.
  • 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 14 at the Delridge Branch, 5423 Delridge Way S.W., 206-733-9125.
  • 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16 at the South Park Branch, 8604 Eighth Ave. S., 206-615-1688.
• Eclipse Story Time – Children will enjoy stories and activities about the upcoming total solar eclipse. For ages 12 and under.
  • 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 14 at the High Point Branch, 3411 S.W. Raymond St., 206-684-7454.
• Outdoor Solar Eclipse Viewing Parties – Watch the eclipse while learning more about this cool astronomical phenomenon. The moon will cover 92% of the sun at around 10:20 a.m.! For all ages.
  • 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 21 at the Bryant Neighborhood Playground, 40th Avenue Northeast & Northeast 65th Street
  • 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 21 at the High Point Branch, 3411 S.W. Raymond St., 206-684-7454.
  • 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 21 at the South Park Community Center, 8319 Eighth Ave. S.
  • 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 21 at the Northgate Branch, 10548 Fifth Ave. N.E., 206-386-1980.

Photo: Total solar eclipse of March 20, 2015 by Damien Deltenre/Flickr Creative Commons