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Solar Eclipse Sun Celebration

Totality of a solar eclipse. Image by Dinnis DiCicco

Totality of a solar eclipse. Image by Dinnis DiCicco.

Solar Eclipse Viewing Party & Sun Celebration 

Aug 21, 2017; 1-3pm
Free with Garden admission

Join us in the Central Garden for a sun celebration in conjunction with the solar eclipse! On August 21, as the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, it will cast a shadow; Richmond will experience a partial eclipse with 85 percent of the sun’s surface shadowed by the moon. We often take it for granted, but sunlight is essential to life on Earth, including plants and people. Participate in sun-themed activities throughout the afternoon while safely enjoying this amazing astronomical event!

Please note, it is NOT safe to look at the sun without solar eclipse glasses. We will have certified for safe viewing glasses for the  500 guests on a first-come, first-served basis. Please read below to learn how these will be distributed. The Garden does NOT have glasses for sale.

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Date:
Monday, August 21, 2017
Time:
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Event Details

Sun Celebration Activities & Events

Glasses

  • The Garden does NOT have glasses for sale.
  • Garden has 500 (total) certified for safe viewing  glasses for members and non-members.
  • These will be distributed at the Grow Cart in the Central Garden (between the Visitors Center & Conservatory)
  • Guests can line-up to receive these complimentary glasses; distribution will begin at 1 p.m.
  • If the number of people who want glasses exceeds 500, we’ll encourage sharing.
  • The eclipse is a three-hour process; peak viewing will occur at 2:45 p.m. 
  • We will also be making pinhole viewers as another way to observe the eclipse.

Other Activities

  • Make a botanical sun print
  • Test out a pinhole viewer for observing the eclipse
  • Paint with water — and watch it evaporate
  • Do sun salutations with yoga instructor, Michelle Israel
  • Purchase sunflowers from Freckled Flower Farm
  • We’ll have icy treats available (for purchase) at the ice cream cart


Safety
Do’s and Don’ts

  • DON’T look at the sun without ISO 12312-2 certified glasses. Regular sunglasses will not protect your eyes.
  • DON’T use the ISO certified glasses if they are scratched or damaged.
  • DON’T look at the sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars or other optical device with or without glasses. The concentrated solar rays will damage the filter and enter your eye(s), causing serious injury.
  • DO put your eclipse glasses on before looking at the sun and take them off after looking away.
  • DO wear eclipse glasses over top of your normal glasses.
  • If you do not have ISO certified glasses, DO use a pinhole viewer to safely observe the eclipse.
  • Always supervise children while observing the eclipse.

Want to know more? Visit the NASA web page on the solar eclipse and eye safety during an eclipse.

Children watching the solar eclipse wearing protective shades. Image by Mark Margolis.

A total solar eclipse is about as bright as the full Moon — and just as safe to look at. But the sun at any other time is dangerously bright; view it only through special-purpose “eclipse glasses” or hand-held solar viewers that meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard for such products. Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun. Photo by Mark Margolis / Rainbow Symphony

Top image of solar eclipse in totality Rick Fienberg.

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