It’s a big month for astronomy enthusiasts! There is a solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, lasting from around 2:00 – 4:30 PM and reaching its max around 3:25 PM.

The library is distributing a limited number of solar eclipse glasses. (Edit: We unfortunately ran out as of April 2.) If you don’t get a pair, no problem! It is easy and fun to make a pinhole projector at home, which you can use to view the eclipse.

This video will teach you know how to make a pinhole projector! All you need are some basic household supplies.

Children in grades K-5 can also make pinhole projectors in the library on Tuesday, April 2 at Makers of History: Arab American Heritage Month. We will be discussing Shadia Habbal, a Syrian American astronomer and physicist. She is the subject of the book Eclipse Chaser: Science in the Moon’s Shadow by Ilima Loomis. We will talk about solar winds, the Parker Solar Probe, and how we can study the sun safely.

Feel free to print a copy of this handout about Shadia Habbal and pinhole projectors.

Safe and happy viewing!

~Lisa Jenkins, Youth Services Librarian