Solar Eclipse 2017: Rhode Island Viewing Guide

Rhode Island, like the rest of New England, will unfortunately not get in on the fun of experiencing a total solar eclipse today during the Great American Eclipse of 2017. Still, residents of the Ocean State will at least see a beautiful partial solar eclipse and there are events going on. The eclipse is expected to begin at 1:28 p.m. ET and will end at 4:00 p.m. ET. The maximum coverage of the sun will be seen at 2:47 p.m. ET.

As the NASA map shows, the path of totality stretches from Oregon to South Carolina, so anyone who lives along that path will see a total solar eclipse. Since the path dips far south to South Carolina when it reaches the east coast, any residents north of there will only see a partial solar eclipse. If you are living along the path of totality, you will get to experience complete darkness for at least two minutes and 40 seconds. It will look like night, so you can see planets and stars.

That won’t be the case in Rhode Island. It will not get completely dark. If you’re in providence, you will only see 65.05 percent of the sun obscured by the moon’s shadow, according to NASA. Since Rhode Island is small, going to different parts of the state isn’t going to help you see a more complete solar eclipse. Even if you live in New Shoreham on Block Island, you’re only going to see an eclipse that obscures 66.95 percent of the sun, according to NASA.

However, even though Rhode Island will only experience a partial solar eclipse, it is still important to wear special solar eclipse glasses or use pinhole projection.

There’s also plenty of fun to have in Providence and other Rhode Island cities during the eclipse. As WRPI reports, the Museum of National History and Planetarium in Providence will host a viewing party. You have to pay the $2 admission, or $3 to see the planetary show. They will also have eclipse glasses while supplies last.

You can find other events listed at The Providence Journal. These events include viewings at the Frosty Drew Observatory in Charlestown; the Woonsocket Harris Public Library; Brown University; the Pawtucket Public Library; and the Marian J. Mohr Memorial Library in Johnston.

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