Total Eclipse Viewing Party

On April 8, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States and Canada. A total solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the sun. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk.

This remarkable event grants us an opportunity to witness the dynamics of our solar system firsthand, as the sun briefly yields its rays to the moon’s shadow. Earth is the only planet in the solar system to experience a perfect total eclipse. This coincidence is possible because the sun is 400 times larger than the moon, and it is also conveniently about 400 times farther away. This results in a visual illusion where both bodies appear nearly identical in size from Earth, enabling the moon to perfectly obscure the sun during a total solar eclipse. No other planet in the solar system has the right sized moon for this to occur. Ohio is among the 15 states in the United States that will be in the “path of totality” for the eclipse.

According to NASA, except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the moon completely blocks the sun’s bright face, it is not safe to look directly at the sun without specialized “eclipse glasses” for viewing. Viewing any part of the bright sun through a camera lens, binoculars or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury. You can also use an indirect viewing method, such as a pinhole projector.

The City of Westerville is partnering with the Westerville Public Library, Visit Westerville, Westerville City Schools and the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce to host a viewing party of this once-in-a-generation event. The viewing party will be held at Hoff Woods Park on April 8 from 2 - 4 p.m.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Light filtering through leaves on trees casts crescent-shaped shadows as totality approaches.

• Birds and other wildlife will often go quiet and stop flying and chirping during an eclipse.

• The air temperature could drop anywhere from 15 to 20 degrees during an eclipse.

Total Eclipse Viewing Party

• April 8, 2024

• 2-4 p.m.

• Hoff Woods Park, 556 McCorkle Blvd.

First 500 guests will receive an Eclipse gift bag! Bring your own chairs and blankets.