Watson
“Turn around. Every now and then I get a little …”
Wait, that’s not what we’re talking about? Apparently, I’m supposed to be writing about an actual solar eclipse. The kind with the sun and the moon and the glasses. Not Bonnie Tyler. Oops. I’ll put the hairspray down.
I had never witnessed a total solar eclipse until 2017. There was one in the ’90s, but I only had a partial view of it in my hometown in Michigan. I have vague memories of making a viewer with a cardboard box and everyone being shooed out of the building to watch. Luckily, I was here in Indiana in August of 2017 for that partial eclipse. That one was far more memorable, especially when our Assistant Director Emily Ellis was rocking out to “Total Eclipse of the Heart” in the Library lobby.
We are so fortunate, here in Johnson County, to be right in the path of the upcoming solar eclipse on April 8. Not only are we in the perfect spot to view a total solar eclipse, but the next total solar eclipse to hit the contiguous United States isn’t until 2044.
If you have no idea why everyone is making such a big deal about it, the library is here to help.
Did you know we have a FABULOUS group locally called the Indiana Astronomical Society (IAS)? If you have any interest in astronomy, they are a great organization to get to know and have partnered with the library for International Observe the Moon Night for several years. In the warmer months (not right now), they have stargazing events open to the public at McCloud Park in North Salem, Indiana. Rick from the IAS will be here at the library at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 12 to share about his experience in Tennessee during the 2017 eclipse and some of the amazing photographs he was able to capture. He will also be talking us through safely observing the eclipse, taking our own photos, and what to expect on April 8.
We also will have a virtual speaker from NASA at 6:30 p.m. March 20, when we will be hearing from Craig Williams, a senior aerospace engineer in the chemical and thermal propulsion branch of NASA. He will be giving us an overview of the physics and geometry of an eclipse, including the relative motion of the moon, earth and sun. He will also talk about why eclipses, in general, are important to the scientific community, as well as the significance of this particular eclipse.
Our Children’s Department is also planning an event on March 28 for the K-5 crowd. They will be talking about how to safely observe the eclipse, and have some other eclipse related activities.
Solar eclipse glasses will be given out to attendees at the end of each program. Registration is required, so be sure to get signed up as soon as possible.
You can also earn solar eclipse glasses by doing our Winter Reading Bingo that will be available through the end of February. We have bingo sheets at each help desk in the library, or you can track your progress on Beanstack — our online portal that you can access on any computer or app store. If you need any science fiction book recommendations to help get you into the eclipse spirit, just stop in and ask. Our staff love helping you find your next favorite read and are prepared with some of our favorite science fiction picks.
Because of the anticipation of the event — in 2017 enthusiasts traveled hundreds of miles to be on the path of the eclipse — the library will be closing for the day on April 8. If you have any additional questions about our upcoming programming, please visit our website (greenwoodlibrary.us) or give us a call.
Aubrey Watson is an Adult Services Librarian at Greenwood Public Library. GPL staff members share in writing this twice-monthly column for the Daily Journal. Send comments to [email protected].
