If you haven't heard (hahaha), a total solar eclipse will cross the United States Monday.
Tucson doesn't fall in the "path of totality" so we won't see the eclipse at 100 percent. However, we will be able to see the moon block the sun by about 60 percent, giving the sun a crescent look.
How cool is that?
The "path of totality" is the line across the U.S. where viewers will see a total solar eclipse. That line is about 70 miles wide and the shadow of the eclipse will move along that path from west to east diagonally across the U.S. from the Oregon coast to South Carolina.
"It is that path across the USA that makes this such a rare total eclipse event, and many people are traveling to the path to see the total solar eclipse," says Shipherd Reed, associate director of communications at Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium.
This map shows the 2017 total solar eclipse across the United States.
While solar eclipses aren't necessarily rare events, it is somewhat rare to see them from Tucson. The next one visible from the continental United States will take place in 2024.
You know what all of this means? There will be viewing parties. Pro tip: Never look at the sun without viewing glasses or filters.
Find out where to view the eclipse with your friends below.
Get ready for the eclipse
Solar Saturday at the Children's Museum
What: Get FREE safety glasses to view Monday's eclipse and make a pinhole postcard viewer.
Activities for kids include make-your-own sun visor, space stencils and crafting with solar-powered, color changing beads.
You'll also get to watch a demonstration that explains what happens when the sun vanishes in the middle of the day.
Special guests include Tucson Electric Power (for its 125th anniversary) with its solar cart, Citizens for Solar with solar ovens, Mrs. Green's World and Planetary Science Institute. Plus, you can get food from Purple Tree Organic Acai Blends' solar-powered food truck.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
Where: Children's Museum Tucson, 200 S. Sixth Ave. and Children's Museum Oro Valley, 11015 N. Oracle Road, suite 101
Cost: $1.25
More info: Click here
Solar Eclipse Weekend at Flandrau
What: Learn all about eclipses — from why they happen to what to look for —during mini talks and kid-friendly planetarium shows. There will also be family activities such as making a pinhole viewer box. You can also buy solar viewing glasses at Flandrau for $5.
When: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
Where: Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium, 1601 E. University Blvd.
Cost: $16 adults; $12 children ages 4-17 and free for children 3 and under. Cost includes admission to the Science Center Exhibits, UA Mineral Museum and one planetarium show.
More info: Click here
Watch the eclipse
🌑 Solar Eclipse Viewing Event at Flandrau
What: Flandrau has collaborated with the UA Lunar and Planetary Lab, the UA's Steward Observatory and the UA College of Optical Sciences to host a viewing event for the public. UA students and graduate students will be on the mall to guide the viewing experience.
The eclipse will begin at 9:16 a.m., peaking at 10:36 a.m. and finishing at 12:03 p.m.
When: 9 a.m. to noon Monday
Where: UA Mall in front of Flandrau, 1601 E. University Blvd.
Cost: Free. Admission to Flandrau will also be free from 9 a.m. to noon.
More info: Click here
Pro tip: This is also the first day of classes at the UA so be prepared for lots of traffic and limited parking. Flandrau is near the streetcar line.
🌑 UA Solar Eclipse 2017 Viewing Party
What: The UA Astronomy Club is hosting this party. They'll have a solar telescope, eclipse glasses, live streaming, activities and more.
When: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: University of Arizona Astronomy Club, 933 N. Cherry Ave. (The viewing party will take place on the mall next to the student union)
Cost: Free
More info: Click here
🌑 Solar Eclipse Party
What: Celebrate the Eclipse at Sky Bar's viewing party. They'll have astronomers on hand on the patio to help with viewing through a solar telescope, as well as free solar protective glasses to wear.
It'll be Happy Hour all day with $1 coffee in the morning, a $1 drink at the peak of the eclipse, pizza from Brooklyn Pizza Company and the Cosmic Cosmo cocktail.
Cost: Free
When: 9 a.m. to noon Monday
Where: Sky Bar Tucson, 536 N. Fourth Ave.
More info: Click here
🌑 Sunny Side Up Eclipse Viewing Party
What: Hang out on the patio and watch the Great American Total Solar Eclipse. There will be NASA-approved viewing glasses for you to use and you'll be able to learn more about the eclipse from a professional stargazer. There will also be an eclipse-safe telescope on hand to get a closer look.
Food specials inspired by the event will be available for purchase.
When: 9 a.m. Monday
Where: Hotel Congress, 311 Congress Street
Cost: Free, but bring money for food
More info: Click here
🌑 Solar Eclipse Viewing at Sabino Canyon
What: You'll get to view the eclipse surrounded by the beautiful Sabino Canyon. Solar telescopes will be set up for viewing. The event is being hosted by the Mount Lemmon Sky Center.
When: 9 a.m. to noon Monday
Where: Sabino Canyon Visitor Center, 5700 N. Sabino Canyon Road, on the north side of the main ramada
Cost: Free, but it costs $5 to park at Sabino Canyon
More info: Click here or call 626-8122
