Will County, IL-(ENEWSPF)- Looking for a nice outdoor spot to watch the April 8 solar eclipse? The Will Co. Forest Preserve District offers three viewing parties. There will be four solar eclipse viewing parties. The Forest Preserve District will host a “Solar-bration” event the weekend before the eclipse parties. This will help you and your family prepare for the main event.
Solar-bration: Solar Eclipse Viewing Parties will be from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at
- Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve in Crete Township,
- Hickory Creek Preserve – LaPorte Road Access in Mokena and
- Whalon Lake in Naperville.
Total Solar Eclipse Parties
The free, all-ages programs will coincide with the total solar eclipse passing through Illinois. A total solar eclipse will not occur again in the United States until 2044.
The first 50 attendees of each program will receive free viewing glasses to view the event safely. The party will include eclipse activities, marshmallow toasting, and a roaring fire. The viewing parties will not happen if it is cloudy or rainy. Attendees should bring their chairs or blankets.
To be even more prepared for the eclipse, check out a weekend Solar-bration: Get Psyched about the Solar Eclipse program at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7.
Registration is not necessary for the viewing parties or the weekend prep program.
IDPH Cautions: All Solar Eclipse Parties Viewers Take Care
The Illinois Department of Public Health reminds everyone that you will cause severe and potentially permanent eye damage if you look directly at a solar eclipse. Dark sunglasses are not safe for viewing the sun.
“To view the eclipse directly, people must use special safe eclipse viewers that meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard,” IDPH warns. Check the link to see if your eclipse viewers meet this standard.”
According to NASA, you can also safely view an eclipse with a pinhole projection.
While the eclipse will be visible in all 48 contiguous states, there will only be a “total” eclipse closer to the path outlined by NASA on a map on its website. The path of totality will be visible from southern Illinois and less from northern Illinois.
