Commissioner Soloway attends solar eclipse viewing event at the Hunterdon County Main Branch Library
FLEMINGTON, NJ (Hunterdon County) – Hunterdon County Deputy Director Susan Soloway was in attendance on Monday for the partial Solar Eclipse Viewing Program held outdoors at the Hunterdon County Main Branch Library in Flemington.
Over 200 patrons of all ages were in attendance to safely view the eclipse through glasses that were provided free of charge, thanks to NASA.
“I enjoyed attending the solar eclipse viewing event at the Main Branch Library this past Monday. It was an exciting opportunity to witness something that will not happen again for another 20 years! Thank you to James Keehbler and his staff for planning this observation experience and giving residents a chance to safely partake in an educational program,” Soloway said.
Excited participants from small children to senior citizens, safely observed the eclipse and learned intriguing facts about Solar Science, from Adult Services Librarian, Marianne Sievers.
Attendees were invited to participate in community science by collecting data for NASA’s Globe Observer and Eclipse Soundscapes projects. Participants were able to record empirical evidence of a distant temperature drop as the sun was eclipsed by the moon. Observation glasses were provided for all in attendance and “Sun-oculars”, special binoculars designed for observing the sun, were shared with attendees as well.
James Keehbler, Library Director, said “Library staff greatly enjoyed witnessing the excitement of this event, which brought together people from all around the county to experience this celestial event as a community.”
In addition to providing over 200 patrons with observation glasses at the live event, the library’s three branches were able to distribute approximately 1,800 glasses in advance of April 8th thanks to a generous donation from NASA.
“Attendees to the viewing program were in great spirits, and even cheered at one point as the clouds gave way to a view of the eclipse. The Grove at the Main Branch Library proved to be a perfect setting to gather with Hunterdon County residents of all ages for this fun event,” Soloway said.
