New Hampshire, like the rest of New England, isn’t an ideal place to be on August 21 for the Great American Solar Eclipse of 2017. That’s because the Granite State is far from the path of totality. Still, there are plenty of places throughout the state celebrating the partial solar eclipse you will experience. The eclipse begins at 1:27 p.m. ET in Manchester and ends at 3:57 p.m. The partial solar eclipse will be at 2:45 p.m. and lasts about 2 minutes and 40 seconds.
The “path of totality” that stretches from Oregon to South Carolina dips far away from New Hampshire and the rest of the Northeast, as NASA’s map shows. Anyone in the states in the path of totality will experience about 2 minutes and 40 seconds of darkness during totality. In New Hampshire and other states that will experience a partial solar eclipse, the sky will not get completely dark.
Since New Hampshire is even farther from the path of totality than Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the moon will appear to cover even less of the sun. If you’re in Manchester, you’ll only see 62.04 percent of the sun obscured by the moon. If you’re in Concord, 61 percent of the sun will be obscured. And if you’re all the way north in Pittsburg, you’ll only see 56.8 percent of the sun obscured. It’s about that as well for residents closer to the Canadian border.
Although New Hampshire is only experiencing a partial solar eclipse, it is still important to wear solar eclipse glasses to avoid permanently damaging your eyes. Another option for viewing the eclipse is pinhole projection.
New Hampshire residents can still have some eclipse fun at viewing parties throughout the state. Parenting NH has a list of events, including a really fun one at the Margaret & H.A. Rey Center in Waterville Valley. NASA Solar System Ambassador Sally Jensen will be there to show children and families who eclipses work.
Those visiting the SEE-Science Center in Manchester can check out fun activities that will help children of all ages understand the eclipse and eclipse glasses will be available. The activities are included with the regular $9 admission for ages 3 and up.
For a cool and unique experience that only New Hampshire residents can have, America’s Stonehenge in Salem is hosting a viewing party with America’s Stonehenge President Dennis Stone attending. Unfortunately, they won’t have eclipse glasses available there, so you’ll have to bring (or make) your own.
The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord also has a fun day planned, with WMUR’s Kevin Skarupa, NASA JPL’s Dr. Art Hammond, NH Science Teachers Association’s Andrew DiGiovanni and Mt. Washington Observatory’s Tom Padham all as guest speakers.
