Delawareans will see a partial solar eclipse, when the moon will cover 80 percent of the sun locally, on Monday.
Some residents have caught eclipse fever and are headed to the hotspots where a total eclipse will sweep from Oregon to South Carolina and the moon will cover the sun entirely. Dover resident Griffin DuBreuil is headed to Carbondale, Illinois.
“I’m just basically looking forward to the whole atmosphere. I mean it’s a once in a lifetime event so I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” DuBreuil said.
And Jan Crumpley, a Dover shop-owner, is headed to a campground about 30 miles west of Knoxville, Tennessee. The day of the eclipse is her birthday, so it is extra special, she said.
“It won’t happen again in my lifetime,” Crumpley said.
Delaware residents not looking to travel as far as DuBreuil or Crumpley have plenty of locations to choose from to see the partial eclipse.
A few of them include Delaware State Parks. John Wickart, the chief of interpretation for Delaware State Parks, said they've geared their events towards families.
They'll have activities like talking about eclipse safety, making pinhole cameras to safely view the eclipse, and learning about the science behind the phenomenon.
"If you see it, you'll remember it for the rest of your life," Wickart said.
Wickart said Delaware State Parks has been planning for the partial eclipse since last year.
You can catch all the action from about 1:20 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday.
Some of the locations where you can see the partial eclipse:
Delaware Museum of Natural History
4840 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE
9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Free with museum admission.
Solar Eclipse Viewing (Alapocas Run State Park)
Monday, August 21
1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
18th Street Playground (Brandywine Park) and Rockford Park
Join us at both parks to safely view 80% of a total solar eclipse. During this event, the Rockford Tower will be open and the Nature on the Go Cart will be at the 18th Street Playground. Stop by for some safe solar viewing and eclipse-related activities!
Free
2017 Total Solar Eclipse Pre-Eclipse Party (Brandywine Creek State Park)
Saturday, August 19
11 a.m.
Park staff and local astronomy experts will talk about what Delawareans will see and explore all the fun things in the sky and how our little moon can cover the giant sun.
Free
Total Eclipse in the Park! (Brandywine Creek State Park)
Monday, August 21
12:30 p.m.
Viewing scopes and local astronomy experts will be on hand. Experts will show us the best ways to view the Total Solar Eclipse of 2017. Enjoy activities such as making fun pinhole cameras to safely view the eclipse. Bring the whole family and join the party! Meet at the Nature Center.
Free
Solar Eclipse Viewing (Bellevue State Parks)
Monday, August 21
Fox Point State Park
1 p.m.
Join a park naturalist for the partial solar eclipse. The eclipse should not be viewed with the naked eye, so viewing glasses will be provided. Bring your own chair and beverage. Pre-register by August 18.
Free
Partial Solar Eclipse (Cape Henlopen State Park)
Monday, August 21
1 p.m.
Delaware will experience a partial solar eclipse with the peak occurring at about 2:45 p.m. Nature center staff will have some safe solar glasses to borrow so you can watch this amazing astronomical event.
Free
The North American Solar Eclipse Viewing (White Clay Creek)
Monday, August 21
1 – 3:30 p.m.
At Carpenter Recreation Area
Park staff will pass out free Eclipse Shades® Safe Solar Glasses to the first 200 visitors. Join us for a pretty cool afternoon.
Free
Eclipse in Dover (First State Heritage Park)
Monday, August 21
2 p.m.
John Bell House on The Green
Create eclipse viewers, learn about historical attitudes toward eclipses – from science to superstition – and be ready for the fullest coverage of the sun at 2:43 p.m.
Free
Wilmington University
1-4 p.m.
320 North DuPont Highway, on the University Green
The Delaware AeroSpace Education Foundation
1-4:30 p.m.
585 Big Oak Road, Smyrna.
Seven telescopes outfitted with solar filters available for eclipse viewing. Eclipse glasses will be sold for $1.
Mt. Cuba Observatory
1610 Hillside Mill Rd., Greenville, DE
1-4 p.m.
A limit of 30 people will be invited to participate in a special event.
SOLD OUT.
Contact your local library to find out about viewing parties.
