PLS to celebrate solar eclipse

Celebrations for the upcoming solar eclipse are underway at the Pioneer Library System, with events happening throughout its service area now through April 8, the day of the eclipse.

“Folks who register and attend these eclipse-focused programs will be able to receive a free pair of certified solar eclipse glasses,” said Norman Public Library East Branch Manager Kelsey Williamson.

To prepare for the event, residents can attend one of PLS’s astronomy events, intended for all ages, leading up to April 8. These include eclipse art programs, meditation under the stars, DIY eclipse viewer programs, and a stargazing night with OU’s Lunar Sooners, happening Friday, April 5, at the Tecumseh Public Library.

Astronomy students will be speaking at the Tecumseh event to talk about the eclipse and other topics relating to astronomy.

The April 8 total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Weather permitting, the first location in continental North America that will experience totality is Mexico’s Pacific coast at around 11:07 a.m. PDT.

The path of the eclipse continues from Mexico, entering the United States in Texas, and traveling through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan will also experience the total solar eclipse.

The eclipse’s path will continue into Canada in Southern Ontario before exiting continental North America on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland, Canada, at 5:16 p.m. NDT.

While locals who want to experience full totality may wish to visit Southeastern Oklahoma, the view will still be impressive for those not able to make the trip from the central part of the state.

“We’ll be hosting a watch party during the eclipse in the afternoon, and most of those run from 1-2 p.m. since that is the peak time for maximum viewing in the area,” Williamson said.

PLS eclipse viewing parties will happen Monday, April 8, in Blanchard, Moore, Norman, Purcell, Southwest Oklahoma City and Tecumseh.

To explore eclipse events happening at PLS, visit https://pioneer.libnet.info/events?term=eclipse or see all events at pioneerlibrarysystem.org.