INDIANAPOLIS — The total eclipse on August 21 will appear as a partial eclipse in Indianapolis, with 91 percent coverage of the sun by the moon. Evansville will have much better viewing, with 99 percent of the sun covered by the moon.
The rare phenomenon will be seen beginning at 12:57 p.m. and reach full coverage for the viewing area at 2:25 p.m. local time (EDT). The eclipse will be over by 3:48 p.m. Eye protection must be used to view the eclipse.
Central Library will host The Great American Eclipse: Standing in the Shadow of the Moon on Aug. 13 at 2 p.m. Individuals of all ages are invited to a one-hour multi-media presentation by Kurt Williams, Deputy Director of Link Observatory Space Science, who will illustrate the latest animations to describe the science of the sun, the orbital dynamics of solar eclipses, and details about the Great American Eclipse occurring on Aug. 21. Attendees will receive a free pair of eclipse glasses while supplies last, one pair per person. This program will be held in Central Library’s Riley Room. The Library is located at 40 E. St. Clair.
Several branches will offer school age children a program full of art and science inspired by the eclipse. Art With a Heart is working with the library to present Art of the Eclipse at the Lawrence Library Aug. 8 at 6 p.m., Spades Park on Aug. 10 at 4:15, Irvington Aug. 12 at 11 a.m., Warren on Aug. 16 at 5 p.m., East 38th on Aug. 17 at 4:30. The sessions are limited to 20 children and eclipse glasses will be available for children in the program. To register, call the main library at 317-275-4100 or visit the individual branches. In addition, the Glendale Branch will host the Gotta Wear Shades: Eclipse Program, Aug. 19 from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. Families are invited to get ready for the solar eclipse on August 21 by discovering how to view the sun safely and making a pin hole viewer. The first 25 participants will receive a free pair of eclipse glasses (one per family). Families are asked to bring a small box for each child. The Glendale branch is located at 6101 N. Keystone.
The longest period to see the totality of the eclipse is in Carbondale, Illinois where the eclipse will be total at 1:20 p.m. Central Daylight Time and last over 2 and a half minutes. Thousands are expected to visit Carbondale for this event, and they have set up an official Web site for visitors (www.carbondaleeclipse.com/ ). NASA has designated an area near Carbondale in southern Illinois as the official viewing location for the “Total Solar Eclipse’s Greatest Point of Duration.” NASA will be streaming the eclipse live from Carbondale, where 200,000 people are expected to be there to witness the event.
Paducah, Kentucky will also be in the path of totality, with totality beginning at 1:22 p.m. CDT and lasting for about 2 minutes and 21 seconds. Paducah will be setting up a weekend festival with celebrations on the riverfront, prime viewing areas throughout the town, and much more; visit paducah.travel/eclipse for more information.
Special eclipse glasses are available for purchase at the Holcomb Observatory on the campus of Butler University during weekend hours, which begin at 8:15 p.m. The Observatory is open Fridays and Saturdays only; admission to the planetarium shows is $5 for adults and $3 for children (cash only). Glasses can be purchased for only $2 (cash only). The observatory will be closed Aug. 21 so staff and students can travel to the path of totality for observations. Holcomb Observatory is located on the Butler campus, west on 46th St. from Meridian.
