Get ready to bask in the awe-inspiring celestial dance of the sun and moon! On April 8, 2024, a solar eclipse will be seen through Mexico, the eastern half of the U.S., and Canada. It will only be a partial eclipse in Los Angeles, North, Central, and South America. Please do not look directly into the solar eclipse without proper eyewear protection.
What Is A Solar Eclipse?
According to the Griffith Observatory, as seen from Earth, a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth and fully or partially blocks the Sun. In a partial eclipse, the Moon and Sun are not exactly in line, and only a portion of the Sun’s disc is blocked.
When To Catch The Partial Solar Eclipse:
As mentioned above, Los Angeles will witness a partial solar eclipse. The eclipse will begin around 10:06 a.m. PST. The eclipse will become noticeable around 10:40 a.m., the maximum eclipse is at 11:12 a.m. and is expected to end at 12:21 p.m.
Where To Watch The Solar Eclipse In Los Angeles:
These locations below invite folks to watch the eclipse through solar telescopes and eclipse glasses while capacity and supplies last!
- California Science Center
- Cal State LA
- Cal State Long Beach
- Caltech
- Los Angeles County Libraries
- Pierce College
How To Safely Watch The Partial Solar Eclipse At Home:
This time around, the Griffith Observatory isn’t hosting an in-person viewing. However, they are hosting a live online broadcast of the total solar eclipse from Belton, Texas, on Monday, April 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., PST. You can tune in here.
The Griffith Observatory also wants folks to know that you can purchase eclipse glasses or Solarama devices before April 8 in person at the observatory or online.
Please know that proper eye protection is important to shield the eyes from blinding solar radiation. Looking directly at the solar eclipse will cause severe and even permanent eye damage. If you do not have solar eclipse glasses on hand, you can still experience the eclipse by using the pinhole method. Pinhole projection is when sunlight passes through a small opening to project the solar image onto a nearby surface. A favorite way is grabbing two index cards, poking one with a hole and the other used as a projector. Find more ways on the NASA site here. Safe viewing!
Can I take pictures of the solar eclipse with my phone?
No. Experts say that phone cameras should not be pointed directly at the sun and may result in damage to the phone’s sensor.