Eclipse info for Grays Harbor

As the Harbor is not in the path of complete totality, very few local events were organized.

The solar eclipse will reach 94 percent totality on Grays Harbor at 10:18 a.m. Monday, according to information from NASA. The moon will start obscuring the sun at 9:06 a.m. and finish at 11:36.

To check the times and percentages in other areas, view NASA’s interactive map at eclipse2017.nasa.gov/eclipse-maps.

Safe viewing

Besides the map, NASA also offers plenty of other helpful information — including a quick one-minute video on making a pinhole projector out of a cereal box: go.nasa.gov/2vEYZEz.

The Oregon Museum of Science & Industry in Portland has posted an informational video (a little over three minutes) outlining five safe methods of watching the eclipse without suffering permanent retinal damage: bit.ly/2vvByvY.

Animals’ eyes can be damaged, too. Even though they aren’t likely to look up at the darkening sky, folks might want to take their pets indoors during the event.

Local events

As the Harbor is not in the path of complete totality, very few local events were organized around the eclipse. Word is that some folks plan to go the hilltop parking lot of Grays Harbor Community Hospital in Aberdeen to watch it. The beaches also will provide plenty of open space for clear viewing.

Some folks are aiming for a more personal moment.

“I’m planning on standing in the exact same spot I was 38 years ago — with my daughter, who I was pregnant with at the time of the last one,” said Hoquiam native Cindy Wakefield.

Here are the only organized eclipse-related events The Daily World is aware of as of Thursday:

Eclipse & Eclairs — Eclipse viewing and eclair tasting, 10 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Aberdeen Timberland Library, 121 E. Market St. Free; for adults only. Safety glasses and eclairs will be available while supplies last, courtesy of Friends of the Aberdeen Timberland Library.

Eclipse Salon — Discussion of the day’s eclipse viewing experience and the “Twilight” saga by Stephenie Meyer, 6 to 8 p.m. Monday. This free public event will be hosted by Harbor House Writers’ Fellowship at 510 W. First St., Aberdeen.