June 2021

Hello everyone.

This month, there will be a partial solar eclipse visible from Rhode Island on June 10. And it is not too shabby. While it is going to be partial, a maximum of almost 80% of the solar disc will be covered. But there are a few caveats I must share with you. This is not a total solar eclipse. It is annular, so a ring of the sun’s surface is visible. This is because the moon is not close enough to earth (perigee) to cover the entire solar disc. And this entire ring of annularity will not be visible from Rhode Island, just the 80% partial. Also, it cannot be observed without proper eye protection. This eclipse will occur at sunrise. This means getting up in the dark and driving to your eclipse site before sunrise at 5 o’clock. You will need to carefully choose your viewing location. You will need a low horizon to your northeast. I recommend driving to a site on the Bay. Beavertail on Jamestown is a good site. The URI bay campus on South Ferry Road in Narragansett should have a good horizon. Maybe the road near the Coast Guard House or Narragansett town beach, Scarborough beach or the Point Judith lighthouse would work. I recommend that you take a trip a few days before June 10 and confirm your location’s suitability.

You need to be prepared to view this eclipse with proper eye protection or filters for your telescope! Do NOT look at the sun with your naked eye no matter how little light there seems to be, because you will permanently damage your sight. 

Solar eclipses are special events. I am sure you will remember it for the rest of your life. I can picture where I was standing (or sitting) during five total and two partial eclipses spanning from 1970 to 2017. So I urge all of you to make the special effort to observe this eclipse safely. 

Soon after eclipse day Skyscrapers will be hosting a special solar observing day for our members on Saturday, June 19. Our rain date is June 26. This event will be at the observatory. You are encouraged to bring a solar telescope if you have one but please come and observe with one of the fine instruments some of our members will bring along. Images of the sun will be projected into the meeting hall and will be discussed in detail. There is no formal program, so you can come any time after 11AM. We are hosting this event as a “get reacquainted day” because it has been so long since we have gotten together at Seagrave. So pack a lunch and come observe with us.

Also, we will be hosting a cookout on Saturday July 3. Bring along some burgers and dogs and throw them on the grills in the gazebo. This will not be an observing event but a really good social get together, especially for new members.

So take care, everyone. I hope that are ready to enjoy your summer. Wishing you clear skies.