Join Maria Mitchell Association astronomers for a very special and safe viewing of the upcoming Great American solar eclipse! A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is slightly closer to the Earth in its orbit causing the disk of the Moon to completely obscure the disk of the Sun producing a shadow of darkness cast on the earth and the projection of the Sun’s corona around the perimeter of the Moon’s disk.
On Earth, the narrow shadow of the Moon is as a result of the proximity of the Earth to the moon with the broadest band of obscurity beginning at the point of obscuration and thinning, further away from the Moon. Due to this phenomenon, total eclipses are short-lived events as the moon moves quickly away from its perfect location of being situated between the Sun and the Earth.
Across North America, on April 8, 2024, everyone inside the shadow will experience the breathtaking sight of the Sun’s corona during the total solar eclipse. Though we are not in the shadow of totality, from Nantucket, we will be able to safely observe an 87% obscurity of the Sun by the Moon with appropriate viewing tools.
We welcome visitors to stop by the Vestal Street Observatory anytime between 1:30pm – 5:00pm to check out the view of the Sun using our safe solar telescope, sun spotter, and special keepsake MMA eclipse glasses. There will be different stations and activities for safe sun viewing. This program is designed to be interesting for everyone. Program will meet at the MMA Vestal Street Observatory lawn at 3 Vestal Street, Nantucket, MA. All registered children must be accompanied by a registered adult to participate in this program. Pre-registration is recommended for this program as space is limited. In the event of inclement weather (overcast or raining), this program will be canceled and participants notified.
Solar Eclipse Details for Nantucket, April 8, 2024:
- Partiality starts at 14:17 EST
- Maximum partial eclipse at 15:30 EST (87% obscurity)
- Partiality ends at 16:39 EST
Event is weather permitting! If it is overcast, significantly cloudy, or raining, the event will be canceled (We need to be able to see the Sun!)
To bring a school group to this event please contact us at programs@mariamitchell.org