Eclipse Time
On Monday morning, the moon will cover the sun and North America will be treated to a total eclipse of the heart, er, sun.
And yes, that means here in Los Angeles we will have a chance to see it too. Set your alarm clocks and have your eclipse glasses ready because at 10:21 am, the morning will turn to darkness (that’s when the maximum eclipse will be reached).
Families wishing to stay home can view a live stream of the total solar eclipse from NASA. For those looking for a fun & safe place to take the kids and experience this phenomenon, which will last exactly 2 hours and 39 minutes, here are some of the best places we could find in Los Angeles:
1. Kidspace Children’s Museum, 480 N. Arroyo Blvd. | Pasadena, CA
Kids will get a chance to decorate their own solar glasses and participate in other Solar-eclipse themed activities. Representatives from the Jet Propulsion Lab will be on hand to answer questions and hangout with the pint-sized eclipse viewers!
2. L.A. State Historic Park, Chinatown. 1245 N. Spring St. | Los Angeles, CA
Kids who make it to the L.A. State Historic Park near Downtown LA will receive a special “Junior Ranger” badge on August 21. Other gifts that will be distributed to kids include eclipse glasses and Junior Ranger eclipse books. Guests who arrive extra early, like around 8:30 am, can meet at El Pueblo Historical Monument in Olvera Plaza and walk with Park Rangers from there.
3. Caltech, South Wilson Ave. between East Del Mar Blvd. & San Pasqual St. | Pasadena
How about a full-blown viewing party for kids and adults? That’s what the Caltech Astronomy Department will be hosting Monday morning at 9:30am. There will be plenty of solar telescopes and your inquisitive child will have an opportunity to ask all his “why?’s” to Astrophysicists who will be there to answer questions.
4. California Science Center, 700 Exposition Dr. | Los Angeles, CA
Following the weekend’s Eclipse Festival, the California Science Center will have experts and representatives from NASA answering your solar-eclipse questions. Kids will have a chance to make their own eclipse with models of the sun, moon and Earth.
5. Griffith Observatory, 2800 E. Observatory Rd. | Los Angeles, CA
A free eclipse party for all at the Griffith Observatory with telescopes set up on the lawn and sidewalks. The eclipse glasses won’t be free here, but you can buy them at the Observatory’s gift shop. Plus, you’ll have a chance to check out the solar telescope in the Hall of the Sky.
