Did you know there’s going to be a partial solar eclipse visible from Seattle in just over a week? Come to Solstice Park and share the experience. NEVER, EVER, EVER look directly at the Sun. Even when it is partially eclipsed. You risk damaging your eyes. To find safe ways to observe please visit this website. Sunglasses are not enough. Build a pinhole projector instead.

• When: Sunday May 20, 2012 at 5:01pm-7:25pm (maximum eclipse is at 6:17pm)
• Where: Solstice Park – all the way up the hill from the tennis courts (or, if you’re not in Seattle, wherever you have a view of the Sun! Go to this website to find the times for your location.)
• Who: Everyone welcome, as usual.

This is a partial annular solar eclipse. This is the first solar eclipse visible from Seattle in ten years.

Unfortunately, I will not be in attendance this time, but I will be around for the June 5 Transit of Venus. I am simply facilitating this gathering from afar for the solar eclipse. I’m hoping to find an astronomy friend to show up and talk about safe solar viewing (anyone?).

If you’re interested – here’s the timing of various celestial events on Saturday from Seattle, courtesy of the U.S. Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department:

Sun and Moon Data for One Day

The following information is provided for Seattle, King County, Washington (longitude W122.3, latitude N47.6):

Sunday
20 May 2012 Pacific Daylight Time

SUN
Begin civil twilight 4:48 a.m.
Sunrise 5:25 a.m.
Sun transit 1:06 p.m.
Sunset 8:47 p.m.
End civil twilight 9:25 p.m.

MOON
Moonset 7:54 p.m. on preceding day
Moonrise 5:11 a.m.
Moon transit 12:58 p.m.
Moonset 8:52 p.m.
Moonrise 5:50 a.m. on following day

This event is my part of the NASA’s Solar System Ambassador program, and thanks to West Seattle Blog for publicizing the last few!

Everyone is welcome!

~ A l i c e !

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