Solar Eclipse Viewing At UMD’s Planetarium, Public Invited

DULUTH, Minn. — UMD’s Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium is inviting the community out to see the solar eclipse Saturday.

The Annular Eclipse, otherwise known as the Ring of Fire Eclipse, is where the moon doesn’t fully cover the sun, so you’ll be able to see a ring of the sun visible around the moon.

The planetarium will provide special solar telescopes and solar eclipse glasses because although the sun will be partially covered you still need to protect your eyes. According to the planetarium director, only a small portion of the Earth sees solar eclipses and most people are lucky to see one in their lifetime.

“It’s a surreal experience seeing the moon completely cover up the sun. It gets dark. You can see the stars out. It’s wild and really cool and it’s something that I really wish everyone would be able to see,” said Jessica Rogers, Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium director.

The Annular Eclipse will be partial with about 40 percent visible from Duluth. The event will be outside but if it’s cloudy a livestream will take place in the planetarium. That’s happening from 10am to 1pm Saturday.