A little less than a year after the Chicago Cubs ended a 108-year World Series drought, the Chicagoland area will be treated to another once-in-a-century moment on Monday. On August 21, 2017, the Chicago area will have the closest look at a total solar eclipse it has seen in 92 years. The event will begin at 11:54am, when the moon will begin to block the sun. Over the next 90 minutes, the moon will continue to cover the sun, eventually blacking out up to 87 percent of the sun’s surface. The maximum eclipse will occur at 1:19pm.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime event, but it is important to be sure that you view the eclipse safely. Special sunglasses are essential for viewing, as regular sunglasses WILL NOT provide adequate eye protection. Viewing a solar eclipse without the correct protection can result in permanent retinal damage. The Adler Planetarium is hosting “Chicago’s biggest solar eclipse block party”. To learn more about their viewing events and about watching the eclipse safely, please click here.
