Community Corner

Coastal Views of Eclipse Could be Best

If you're near the coast on Sunday, it might be a good idea to stay put til' sundown in order to catch some of the best views of the solar eclipse.

 

With the eclipse occuring near sundown, coastal viewing ought to be spectacular, experts say. So if you've made a day trip to the beach Sunday, you might look for opportunities for viewing along the coast.

The National Park Service has gone all out for the eclipse in the southwest, where the full, "ring of fire" effect of the annular eclipse will be seen. But they're also hosting activities at the parks along the coast, where viewing, at least for us Bay Area folks, is best.

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Of course, that's only if there isn't fog. 

In general, the park service advises on its website for an unobstructed, west-facing view near the coast is best for viewing this partial eclipse. If fog gets in the way, just move higher; in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the NPS suggests Hawk HillDias RidgeFt. Funston, and Mori Point  

Find out what's happening in Los Altoswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The National Park Service is also hosting a free program for the public at the new Lands End Lookout in San Francisco in conjunction with the California Academy of Sciences. A ranger will be stationed on the walkway of the ocean side of the visitor’s center between 5:30pm and 7:30pm. The Lands End Lookout is just north of the Cliff House.

The San Francisco Amateur Astronomers are hosting two events. One, a viewing party on the Marina Green, which looks out to the west through the Golden Gate. 

In Half Moon Bay,  (1410 Cabrillo Highway South Half Moon Bay, 1.3 miles South of Hwy. 92) is hosting an afternoon of astronomy viewing. Host is Steve White of Scope City, San Francisco, who will have a special telescope that can show solar flares and prominences. 

At Point Reyes National Seashore, ranger led-programs and talks will be available during the day at the Bear Valley Visitor Center. There will be an hour long talk about the sun using the Science on a Sphere exhibit at the Bear Valley Visitor Center at 11 am.A table with sun-related activities will be out throughout the afternoon at the Bear Valley Visitor Center.

There will be a Ranger-led talk and solar viewers available from 5:00 pm until 6:30 pm in the Bear Valley Parking Lot. Please note that fog or heavy cloud cover will cancel the afternoon viewing. Call the Bear Valley Visitor Center at 415-464-5100 x2 x5 for information about visibility at Point Reyes.


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