NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Join the Cosmosphere and the Hutchinson Public Library on Monday, April 8, from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the Cosmosphere’s south parking lot for a partial solar eclipse viewing party.
"We're going to have activities, telescopes set up, food trucks, music," said educator Mary Smith with Cosmosphere. "We will have a planetarium show about eclipses playing at 11 a.m. just before the event. As long as it's not raining, we're still going to try to do something."
While Hutchinson, Kansas, won’t be in the path of totality, we will still experience an 85% obscuration or partial eclipse.
Cosmosphere will have several binocular and telescope stations to view the partial solar eclipse safely. Families can make UV (ultraviolet) bracelets, plus there will be many eclipse activities from the Cosmosphere and Hutchinson Public Library to enjoy. So bring your lawn chairs (don’t forget your eclipse viewing glasses) and prepare to have some solar fun!
Hutchinson, Kansas partial eclipse approximate times for Monday, April 8, 2024:
Partial eclipse begins: 12:31 p.m.
Maximum partial eclipse: 1:48 p.m.
Partial eclipse ends: 3:00 p.m.
Please note: for the safety of those attending, Cosmosphere is closing the South Parking lot to parking of vehicles/traffic. They want visitors to have ample room to enjoy the festivities and not worry about dodging cars.
All parking will need to occur in the Cosmosphere’s main lot, Stringer Fine Arts Center, or the Sports Arena parking lot. Handicap parking is available in the main lot between the Cosmosphere’s building and Gowans Stadium.
When viewing a partial or total solar eclipse, the number one rule is to NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN. Regular sunglasses won’t cut it. Eclipse viewing glasses are what’s needed.
"Even one percent of the sunlight is still going to be too bright," Smith said. "I don't talk down to a partial eclipse. I encourage people to get out there and look at it."
Cosmosphere highly recommends purchasing your eclipse glasses before the event.
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