Some people have been looking forward to Monday’s solar event ever since the 1979 total eclipse came through Clark County.
Other people might still be a bit vague on the details. After all, it’s a day away, right?
That is correct, so we’re up to speed on that, at least.
Here are few other things to keep on mind for local viewers of the Great American Eclipse:
• 99 percenters: When umbraphiles rhapsodize about the life-changing experience of a total eclipse, please remember that Clark County will not be experiencing a total eclipse. In our sky, the moon will cover 99 percent of the sun, which means we are getting a partial eclipse. (The 65-mile-wide path of totality runs through Salem, Ore.)
• Timetable: We will see the moon take its first nibble from the right edge of the solar disc at 9:06 a.m.; our eclipse will max out at 10:19 a.m.; and the show will be over at 11:38 a.m.
• Look-alikes: To get a sense of how dark it will get Monday morning, astronomers advise going outside today at 9 or 9:30 p.m.; that’s about how dark it will get when our eclipse peaks at 99 percent Monday.
• Eye safety: Solar eclipse glasses are mandatory for looking at the sun during our eclipse. There is no guarantee you can find them on sale today, by the way. Don’t assume you can just take a quick look with the naked eye. The 1 percent of sunlight that peeks around the moon is enough to damage your eyes.
• Viewing spots: Groups and agencies hosting free public gatherings include Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (the Visitor Center, 1501 E. Evergreen Blvd., is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.); Fort Vancouver National Trust (in front of the Grant House, 1101 Officers Row); Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St.; Camas Public Library, 625 N.E. Fourth St.; La Center Community Library, 1411 N.E. Lockwood Creek Road; Woodland Community Library, at Hoffman Plaza at Horseshoe Lake, 510 Goerig St. The libraries will have a limited number of free solar eclipse glasses.
• Sky report: There is a chance of clouds in Monday morning’s skies, according to the National Weather Service. It might be today before meteorologists have enough data to forecast how many clouds and how widespread. (Get updated information by going to www.weather.gov/ and entering your ZIP code in the box.)
One thing we can look forward to on Monday: no rain.
