According to Dr. Richard Gelderman, an astronomy professor and director of the Hardin Planetarium at Western Kentucky University, folks need to be in a locality in the path of totality in order to see the total solar eclipse.
The path of totality is a band that will stretch across the country, crossing parts of Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, according to NASA.gov. Viewers must be in areas within that path to see the eclipse in its entirety.
Owensboro lies just outside the path of totality, but we are in the “partial” path ( 80 miles from the greatest point of totality) and should be able to see 99% coverage according to timeanddate.com.
The partial solar eclipse will be visible in Owensboro between 11:56 a.m. and end at 2:50 p.m. The time for most coverage will be approximately 1:25pm.
If you’re traveling out of Owensboro to get the fullest view the eclipse, all you really need to get a good view of the eclipse, according to Gelderman, is to be somewhere in the path of totality with special eclipse glasses, a place to park your car, water, and access to restrooms. He recommends visiting friends with residences in the path of totality if you want to avoid a crowd.
“You don’t need an astronomer with you,” Gelderman said. “It’s a human experience. It’s not a science thing; it’s a human experience. The sun disappears from the sky. … It makes jaws drop. There’s incoherent babbling. They scream. They laugh. It’s a human, emotional thing. It’s nothing to do with science.”
Dr. Gordon Emslie is a WKU professor whose area of expertise is solar physics. He recommends picking an area with views to the north or northwest, because that is where the sun’s shadow is coming from.
“One of the coolest things is watching the shadows move at 1,600 miles per hour,” he said. “Watching shadows at that rate is pretty impressive.”
But if you’re staying in Owensboro to view the partial eclipse, here is a list of places who are hosting viewing activities: (Monday, August 21, 2017)
Western Kentucky Botanical Garden
Bring a chair, blanket, and even a picnic lunch to The Garden and enjoy viewing “The Eclipse” to view the eclipse. Duration is 11:56am to 2:50pm with eclispe time approximately 1:25 pm.
Eclipse Viewing Glasses Will Be Available At The Garden On The Day Of The Event – $1.00 Each
For Those Joining Us At The Garden Event. (Limited Supply – 1st Come/1st Served)
Admission is free for Garden Members. For non-members: $5/Adult, $3/Senior Citizen, $1/Youth.
Western Kentucky Botanical Garden is located at 25 Carter Road, Owensboro, KY 42301.
Owensboro Museum of Science and History
On the day of the eclipse, the Owensboro Museum of Science and History will have telescopes for safe viewing and will have a projection on the side of their building in the heart of downtown Owensboro.
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According to VisitOwensboro.com, Owensboro is stretching the “Day of Darkness” into a long weekend of events to celebrate the solar eclipse Monday, August 21, 2017.
Read full details at the above link. But here is listing:
- Friday, Aug. 18
Owensboro Museum of Fine Art
1-4 p.m.
“The Solar Eclipse as Seen Through the Lens of Art”
901 Frederica St.
Friday After 5
6-11 p.m.
Free live music on six stages
Smothers Park on the Riverfront - Saturday, Aug. 19
Owensboro Museum of Fine Art
1-4 p.m.
“The Solar Eclipse as Seen Through the Lens of Art”
Create a box projector activity in the Interactive Children’s Gallery
901 Frederica St.
RiverPark Center
7:30 p.m.
“The Dark Side of the Wall” Pink Floyd Tribute
101 Daviess St. - Sunday, Aug. 20
Owensboro Museum of Fine Art
1-4 p.m.
“The Solar Eclipse as Seen Through the Lens of Art”
Create a box projector activity in the Interactive Children’s Gallery
901 Frederica St.
Here is NASA’s advice on how to view the eclipse safely.
