News

Experiencing the eclipse in & around the Coachella Valley

Published August 21, 2017 10:51 AM

The buzz about the solar eclipse is getting attention across the nation, especially in the band of cities in the path of totality. Twelve states are in the path. California is not one of them. Here in the Coachella Valley, the phenomenon won’t be as dramatic, but you can still enjoy the event.

Here are some family-friendly ways to spend the historical moments:

PALM SPRINGS

An all-ages event at the Palm Springs Public Library celebrates the partial eclipse from 9:30 a.m. -10:45 a.m.

Bring a lawn chair to enjoy a spectacle that hasn’t been seen for decades.

The library is hosting several events leading up to the eclipse, and may have solar eclipse glasses available, but bring your own just in case they have run out.

Location: 300 South Sunrise Way (corner of Sunrise Way and Baristo Road), Palm Springs

More information is available here.

AERIAL TRAMWAY

Get just a little closer to the moon by traveling up Mount San Jacinto. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is going to open early on August 21 to bring eclipse-viewers up the mountain for a special event.

Head to the viewing deck of the Tramway’s Mountain Station to see the eclipse through a telescope with a solar filter. Glasses will be provided, but only to the first 50 people to arrive, so you will probably want to come prepared.

Mount San Jacinto State Park Interpreter Allison Barnes will present the program. Tickets are going on sale at 7:30 a.m., the first car up is at 8:00 a.m., and the peak time to see it all is 10:25 a.m.

Location: One Tram Way, Palm Springs

More information is available here.

RANCHO MIRAGE

The Rancho Mirage Public Library is hosting a special story time and craft to celebrate the eclipse.

Location: Rancho Mirage Public Library Storytime Room

Event details are available here.

IDYLLWILD

If you want to watch the eclipse from a higher elevation, head to the Idyllwild Library for their Solar Eclipse Viewing Party. The library organizers plan to have special viewing telescopes to watch the phenomenon. They will have viewing glasses and a live stream of the eclipse from NASA. Children are welcome.

Location: 54401 Village Center Drive, Idyllwild

Click here for info.

HIGH DESERT

Head to the Sky’s the Limit Observatory and Nature Center in Twentynine Palms for a solar eclipse event. Organizers will provide solar viewing glasses and have a solar telescope set up for safe observations of the sun.

All are invited at 9:45 a.m. but organizers encourage people to get there early to set up a chair before the big event.

Maximum coverage will be at 10:21 a.m. and the partial eclipse will end at 11:44 a.m.

Location: 9697 Utah Trail, Twentynine Palms (just outside the main north entrance to Joshua Tree National Park

More details are available on their Facebook page.

PALM SPRINGS

Ace Hotel in Palm Springs is hosting a solar eclipse viewing. The hotel took to social media to announce the viewing “atop the stargazing deck.” The location promises “comfy seats.. c offee and sweets.”

RIVERSIDE

The UC Riverside Department of Physics & Astronomy are hosting an eclipse viewing party. It’s next to the campus Bell Tower and starts at 10 a.m.

The community will be able to use filtered telescopes to watch as the moon partially blocks the sun.

Location: UCR campus, 900 University Avenue, Riverside

TRACK THE ECLIPSE

Here in the Coachella Valley, the eclipse will start at 9:08 a.m. The peak of the eclipse will be at 10:24 a.m. At that point, about 62% of the sun will be obscured by the moon. The eclipse should end in our area at 11:49 a.m.

Click here for an interactive map of the eclipse.

Wherever you are, experts recommend using protective glasses to view the event. Your ordinary sunglasses will not be enough.

The American Astronomical Society says to look for an ISO seal with the number 12312-2.

Find some tips to avoid buying bogus glasses by clicking here.

Read: Can you really go blind staring at an eclipse?

The last total solar eclipse over the contiguous U.S. was visible in the northwest tier of the country in February 1979.

After Aug. 21, the next one will happen in April 2024, according to NASA. That eclipse, however, will only
be viewable in the central and eastern United States.

SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE

Share your photos and videos with KESQ using SHARE@KESQ.com or #KESQ on social media.

Here are some tips for photographing the solar eclipse:

– Use a tripod to keep your camera stable

– Use a solar filter or your eclipse glasses to cover your smartphone lens

– Practice photography during low light, like sunset and twilight to understand how to use your camera’s settings

– Don’t forget to take those solar glasses selfie shots!

– More here

First Alert Chief Meteorologist Haley Clawson traveled to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab to check out their eclipse software. Watch that story here.