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Library hosts Festive Sky Party

The Scripps Miramar Ranch Branch Library distributed special solar eclipse viewing glasses for its Sky Party solar eclipse event on Monday, Aug. 21. (photos by John Gregory)

Library hosts Festive Sky Party

A festive and friendly group of Scripps Ranch residents attended the Sky Party at the Scripps Miramar Ranch Branch Library to view the much-heralded solar eclipse on Monday, Aug. 21.

A line formed at the entrance and stretched across part of the parking lot until the doors opened at 9:30 a.m. Some attendees brought their own special eclipse viewing glasses, but about 50 were distributed in the library courtyard at the beginning of the event. A very enthusiastic crowd mobbed the person handing out the glasses, but it was unnecessary as the large group of people at the library were very generous, openly sharing the viewing glasses often throughout the morning.

A live feed from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration was screened in a public meeting room and materials were available for children to construct shadow projection viewing kits. One craft involved placing objects on a piece of light-sensitive paper and allowing the sun’s rays to create a slight image silhouette on the paper.

Attendees brought a large selection of items to view the eclipse, from special solar lenses to shadow projection boxes to binoculars reversed to project an image on white cardboard. Everyone was eager to share their viewers with one another.

Meanwhile, a group of people used their viewing devices outside the library, some sitting in folding chairs for the event. This group was also happy to share their devices, making sure everyone was able to get a look as often as possible.

A large crowd gathered in the courtyard during the time of maximum eclipse. Children, excited at first, often grew tired of the viewing, but the adults appeared to be most excited for the longest duration. All-in-all, it was a cool morning with a pleasant atmosphere and happy neighbors sharing viewers, chatting and enjoying the excitement of a rare terrestrial event.

Members of an enthusiastic crowd were anxious to get viewing glasses.
The live feed from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, screened in a public meeting room of the library, showed the total eclipse.
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