Acworth residents will get the rare opportunity Aug. 21 to view a partial solar eclipse. A solar eclipse takes place when the moon passes between the Earth and sun, blocking part or all of the sun from view. Acworth will experience a partial eclipse of 97.6 percent, according
to NASA.
In Acworth, the eclipse begins at 1:04 p.m., reaches maximum coverage at 2:35 p.m., and will end at 4 p.m. Just be sure to protect your eyes, the space agency warns.
The path where the moon will completely cover the sun stretches from Salem, Ore., to Charleston, S.C. Some parts of the United States, including areas in northeast Georgia, will experience a 100 percent solar eclipse. Georgia cities that will experience totality, or full coverage, include Blue Ridge, Blairsville, Cleveland, Cornelia, Helen, Hiawassee and Toccoa.
Percentage of coverage in
Cobb County cities:
• Acworth — 97.6 percent
• Austell — 96.8 percent
• Kennesaw — 97.5 percent
• Marietta — 97.4 percent
• Powder Springs — 96.9 percent
• Smyrna — 97.2 percent
Eclipse-related activities planned near Acworth include:
Tellus Science Museum. 100 Tellus Drive, Cartersville. Tellus Astronomer David Dundee will play host at Tellus Science Museum as an estimated 22 million Americans are affected by the total solar eclipse. Tellus’ observatory will be open (weather permitting) from 1 p.m. for viewing the partial eclipse. Museum visitors can safely view the eclipse projected in the Tellus Theater. Guests will experience a 97 percent eclipse of the sun at approximately 2:35 p.m.. Solar-safe glasses may be purchased at the site. Free for members. Regular admission for non-members. For more information and admission fees, go to: tellusmuseum.org.
Solar Eclipse Viewing Party. 1-4 p.m., Switzer Library, 266 Roswell St., Marietta. In the library’s parking lot. A solar eclipse-themed refreshment will be provided, along with a fact, fiction and myth trivia session. Should the weather not be conducive to solar eclipse viewing, NASA streaming will be made available to view. Free viewing glasses will be distributed at the party, or you can contact the Central Region Manager prior to the party to arrange pick up of glasses (first come first served): alexandra.beswick@cobbcounty.org, or 770-528-2141. Free eclipse glasses are being provided by the Space Science Institute.
Dark in the Park: A Nearly Total Eclipse Viewing Party. 1-4 p.m., Northside Hospital Cherokee Amphitheater. 101 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. Music, activities, a moonwalk and moon pies. Woodstock plans to provide eye protection to the first 200 people who arrive. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. Free.
More about the eclipse:
To view eclipse-related activities, events, broadcasts, and resources, please go this NASA site created for the event: www.nasa.gov/eclipse.
For a list of 10 great places in the United States to see the total eclipse, go to: www.greatamericaneclipse.com/best-places-to-view/
By Carla Caldwell, Around Acworth editor
Leave a Reply