Atlanta sky-watchers, get ready to witness a celestial snack time! While the city may not be in the path of totality for the upcoming solar eclipse on Monday, residents can still enjoy a cosmic show as the moon takes a significant chomp out of the sun. According to WABE, the partial solar eclipse will see over 80% of the sun shaded when it hits its peak at exactly 3:04 p.m.
To catch this astronomical event, Atlantans should begin their vigil at 1:45 p.m. on Monday afternoon. And though it won't get as dark as totality might render, the sight of the moon making its mark on the sun promises to be an intriguing one. Remember, whether the eclipse is partial or total, direct gazing at sun is a strict no-go without proper protection. Eclipse glasses are a must for safe watching—those regular shades you've got won't protect your eyes from the intense rays.
For those unprepared with eclipse glasses, improvisation is your friend. As suggested by WABE, various DIY methods, such as poking holes in a piece of card to project pinhole crescents on the ground or watching the dappled effect of sunlight through leaves, can offer a safe alternative. Furthermore, a plethora of local events are facilitating communal experiences of the solar event. The Fernbank Science Center, West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, and Tellus Science Museum are notably opening their doors with an array of eclipse-themed activities and live viewings through solar telescopes.
If you want to dodge the sun and crowds, NASA's got you covered with multiple live-streaming options to view the eclipse comfortably from your screen. They'll be offering commentary, silence, and even a Spanish language stream. But don't drag your feet come Monday; the next solar spectacle of this sort won't grace US skies until 2044. For our European friends, though, 2026 marks their date with the sun in totality, as the moon's shadow is set to sweep across Greenland and certain parts of Europe.
