Eclipse viewing party at Dover Public Library

DOVER – The Dover Public Library is inviting the public “to share in the wonder of the solar eclipse” with a viewing party Monday, April 8 from 2 to 4 p.m. on the library’s front lawn.

The all-ages event will feature activities such as shadow drawings, making eclipse viewers and creating corona art. Refreshments will be served. The library will also have a telescope with a special sun filter.

This year’s solar eclipse will feature totality in northern New Hampshire and a 95% partial eclipse in Dover. New Hampshire is one of only 13 U.S. states which will experience a total solar eclipse.

Total solar eclipses are rare in New Hampshire. Over the past 155 years, the state has had only two total solar eclipses in 1932 and 1959.

There will not be another total solar eclipse visible in New Hampshire until 2079, when Dover will be in the path of totality.

Since Dover’s view is not of a total eclipse, glasses must be worn the entire time when viewing the sun. Free eclipse glasses are being handed out on Wednesday nights from 5 to 8 p.m. at the library. You do not need to be a cardholder to get a set of glasses. To ensure there are enough to go around, glasses are limited to one per couple, two per family.

If glasses remain after March 27, library staff will hand them out at the Special STEM event on solar eclipses on Saturday, March 30 at 2 p.m. and at an educational talk on eclipses titled “The Sky Guy Talks Eclipses” on Monday, April 1 at 6 p.m.

This event is free and open to the public. For information, visit library.dover.nh.gov or call 603-516-6050.