The Friends of the Margaret Reed Crosby Memorial Library are helping to prepare Pearl River County residents for the total eclipse more than a week away on Aug. 21, by hosting a seminar on the topic Sunday afternoon.
Dr. John Grant, a retired physics and astronomy professor, will discuss the science behind a total solar eclipse during the event. He will also speak about this weekend’s Perseid meteor shower.
Despite his many years of study, Grant said he’s never actually seen a total solar eclipse, so this year is his chance.
There was an annular eclipse in Pearl River County in the 80s, he said, meaning the moon only covered the sun’s center. He will discuss both types of eclipses during the program.
The 2017 total eclipse will stretch from Oregon to South Carolina on Aug. 21, but the sun will be close to 80 percent eclipsed here in Pearl River County, Grant said.
“It’s worth observing,” he said.
The program will cover safe ways to watch this phenomenon, including through a pinhole in a cardboard box or by using foil taped to a piece of cardboard, Grant said.
But with the right resources at hand, he said the best and safest way to view the eclipse is through a telescope projecting the image onto a screen.
Despite the rainy weekend, some areas of the county could still be able to see a Perseid meteor shower that will peak Saturday night, he said.
“It’s predicted to be really good, but will likely be cloudy,” Grant said.
He will also discuss the events of a meteor shower, how often they occur and the various types. The program will begin at 2 p.m. and is open to the public at no charge.