Sky watchers in Oregon will have a chance Monday to see the last solar eclipse visible in the region until 2044.
A total solar eclipse will be viewable throughout much of the central United States, arcing all the way from Texas to Ohio, with huge crowds anticipated when the eclipse reaches totality.
Oregonians this year will have a less dramatic view: a partial eclipse, which means the moon will block about a quarter of the sun starting at 10:30 a.m. and lasting until noon. It’s unlikely to attract the large crowds that gathered in Oregon for the total eclipse in 2017 or the annular eclipse last October.
In this OPB file photo, costume designer Lisa Taylor helps her friend try and get a good picture of the solar eclipse on a dock in downtown Portland in 2017.
Kristian Foden-Vencil / OPB
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry will host a viewing event at its Portland location on Monday, which is free to the public. The museum will also sell solar-proof glasses for safe viewing of the eclipse.
OMSI Director of Space Education Jim Todd said the public should still take precautions before viewing the eclipse, in order to avoid any damage to their eyesight. Those reusing solar glasses from previous eclipse should make sure they have no tears or scratches.
Typical sunglasses don’t offer enough protection from the sun’s rays.
“Do not use sunglasses at all,” Todd said. “No viewing with binoculars or telescopes.”
Those without safety glasses can also view the eclipse by standing underneath a tree, where the silhouette of the eclipse should be visible on a sunny day.
While a partial eclipse is not as coveted as a total or angular eclipse, Todd recommends that people still take advantage – it’ll be the last solar eclipse that will be visible in Oregon for 20 years.
All this depends on how clear the skies are Monday. Much of the state, including Portland, could see cloudy weather during the solar eclipse.
Oregon will be able to view a full lunar eclipse, known as a “blood moon,” in March 2025.