People around northern Nevada and the nation will be tilting their heads to the heavens Saturday morning for the "ring of fire" eclipse.
Those wanting to view the celestial phenomenon will need eclipse glasses to do so, as from our vantage point in the Reno/Sparks area the moon will only partially obscure the sun, lending it a crescent shape.
In Nevada, Winnemucca, Ely and Elko are inside the maximum eclipse path.
The eclipse will reach its maximum around 9:20 a.m. in Nevada.
There are at least four options in Reno where eclipse glasses can be obtained, either by purchase or for free,
Fleischmann Planetarium
Glasses are available for purchase for $2 a pair at the Fleischmann Planetarium on the University of Nevada campus. They are open from 2:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday.
On Saturday, they will host an eclipse viewing party where you can watch the eclipse through professional grade solar telescopes and even zoom in on the eclipse with their new onsite robotic telescope.
You can also make solar detection bracelets and participate in free hands-on crafts and activities, as well as meeting Dr. Melodi Rodrigue, an Astrophysicist who used NASA space telescopes to study the universe.
She’ll be personally helping people get a fantastic view of the eclipse.
After the eclipse, discount tickets will be offered to new fulldome planetarium shows.
The Discovery Museum
The Discovery Museum on Center Street is selling paper eclipse glasses for $3 a par and collectible glasses for $19.
The museum is partnering with Tahoe Star Tours to provide eclipse viewing using a variety of powerful telescopes.
Washoe County Libraries
Libraries around Washoe County will be giving away two pairs of eclipse glasses per family free of charge for library card holders while supplies last.
Those without library cards can visit aby branch to register.
Washoe County libraries are also offering free STEAM spark activities centered around the eclipse on their website.
Code Ninjas
Code Ninjas, a STEM center for children between the ages of five and 14, will be offering free eclipse glasses between 2 and 6 p.m. on Friday and on the day of the event.
They are located at 7111 South Virginia Street, and the glasses will be available while supplies last.
Code Ninjas will also be hosting a viewing party for the event and recommends people attending bring chairs and bundle up.
Clouds are expected in the Reno/Sparks area on Saturday, which may obscure the eclipse at least some of the time.
Even for those in the maximum eclipse path, this will be different from a total solar eclipse, as the moon will be further out in its orbit of the earth when it happens and therefore won't cover the entirety of the sun, instead covering about 90% of the surface area.
The sky won't darken as noticeably as during a total eclipse, and at no point will it be safe to view the eclipse without eclipse glasses, even for those in the path of totality, where the moon will fully pass in front of the sun.
