Eclipse Times (San Carlos)
First Contact (Eclipse Begins) – 8:05 AM
Museum Opens / Observing Available – 8:30 AM
Maximum Eclipse – 9:19 AM
Last Contact (Eclipse Ends) – 10:42 AM
Event included with Museum admission.
Hiller Aviation Museum Open 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM on October 14.
Weather permitting – eclipse not visible if clouds are present.
On Saturday, October 14 Earth’s Moon will pass between the Sun and our home planet to create a spectacular astronomical event – an annular solar eclipse! Viewers across the country in a narrow band between Oregon and Texas will observe the eclipse’s annular phase, as the Moon passes completely in front of the Sun’s visible surface and only a thin ring of sunlight remains visible.
The San Francisco Bay Area is southwest of the path of annularity, but area residents using safe observation techniques will be able to see 76% of the Sun’s disc covered at 9:19 AM, the time of maximum eclipse. The Hiller Aviation Museum will open early and host an eclipse viewing event from 8:30 AM – 10:45 AM. Solar telescopes, certified safe solar glasses and eclipse pinhole projection boards will provide multiple ways of safely observing the event. Solar glasses will be provided to the first 100 visitors arriving on October 14 at no charge. Additional solar glasses are available for sale in advance of the event in the museum’s Gift Shop, and can also be purchased on the day of the event while supplies last.
Observations will continue outside in the Museum’s Courtyard area from opening time until the eclipse ends at 10:42 AM. Maximum eclipse is at 9:19 AM – arrive early to join us in the waning morning light and safely observe this amazing astronomical phenomena.
Not able to find solar glasses? Visit NASA’s Total Solar Eclipse webpage for .stl and .pdf files that will allow you to print a safe solar projection viewer using either a 3D or conventional paper printer (cardstock suggested for paper viewers). In a pinch, a pinhole punched in a regular index card makes a usable eclipse viewer. Observe the image of the sun cast into the shadow of the card or viewer to see the eclipse.
Near the time of maximum eclipse (around 9:19 AM), natural eclipse projection will occur in the shadow of trees with sunlight filtering through leaves and branches. Each dapple of sunlight sprinkling through the shadow will provide a naturally-projected image of the event.
Available safe observation methods will include:
Solar telescopes – white light and h-alpha wavelengths
Solar glasses – complimentary to first 100 visitors on October 14, or purchase in Gift Shop before or on day of event (while supplies last).
Solar eclipse board – projects eclipse images onto the ground, a wall, or even you!
A limited quantity of solar eclipse glasses will be available to purchase in advance and on the day of the event on a first-come, first-served basis.
