CENTRAL NEBRASKA – Nebraskans will get a partial view of the Annular Solar Eclipse this Saturday, Oct. 14.
This weekend Nebraskans have the opportunity to see the Annular Solar Eclipse, however residents will be missing out on iconic “ring of fire.” Although it won’t be a total eclipse, viewers will get experience a partial eclipse with at least 60% of coverage of the sun in most areas. Far southwest parts of the state, like Imperial, will see 70% coverage. A full coverage map can be found at timeanddate.com.
The eclipse will begin at 9:13 a.m. PDT in Oregon and continuing its path ending at 2:03 p.m. CDT. in Texas.
The partial eclipse will begin at the following times and locations in Nebraska:
- Scottsbluff begins at 9:14 a.m., max coverage at 10:36 a.m., ends at 12:06 p.m.
- Ogallala begins at 9:17 a.m., max coverage at 10:39 a.m., ends at 12:08 p.m.
- North Platte begins at 10:18 a.m., max coverage at 11:40 a.m., ends at 1:09 p.m.
- Kearney begins at 10:20 a.m., max coverage at 11:42 a.m., ends at 1:12 p.m.
- Grand Island begins at 10:21 a.m., max coverage at 11:43 a.m., ends at 1:13 p.m.
- York begins at 10:22 a.m., max coverage at 11:44 a.m., ends at 1:14 p.m.
- Lincoln begins at 10:23 a.m., max coverage at 11:46 a.m., ends at 1:15 p.m.
- Omaha begins at 10:24 a.m., max coverage at 11:46 a.m., ends at 1:15 p.m.
Eclipse glasses are necessary to view the partial eclipse and should not be substituted with handmade glasses, sunglasses, or damaged eclipse glasses. Those who have eclipse glasses from the total eclipse back from 2017 should check for scratches or punctures by holding glasses up to a bright light. If glasses are unavailable, viewers can utilize pinhole projection, by punching a hole into a note card and allow sunlight to pass through and project on a nearby surface. The pinhole projection method should not be used to look at the sun. For eclipse safety visit eclipse.aas.org.
The following places will be hosting viewings:
- The Hastings Museum in Hastings will be hosting a viewing party from 10 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. The event is free of cost, and the museum will provide free eclipse glasses on a first come first served basis (50 pair for kids and 50 pair for adults).
- Hastings College physics professor Dr. Brad Peterson and physics students will be hosting a viewing party outside Lloyd Wilson Field from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. On site will be a solar telescope, a small solar image projector called a Sunspotter and a limited number of eclipse glasses.
- The Omaha Astronomical Society will be holding two viewings starting at 10 a.m., one at the Durham Science Center at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and another on the Riverfront in partnership with the Luminarium located 345 Riverfront Dr, Omaha. Glasses will be available for purchase for $1.
