Great American Eclipse: Where To Watch In Morris County

PARSIPPANY, NJ — It could be one of the celestial events of the century: a total solar eclipse is going to pass over the United States. While we'll only get a partial eclipse in New Jersey, plenty of local organizations are hosting viewing parties in Morris County.

The moon will begin its path over the sun at 1:22:02 p.m., the Morris Museum Astronomical Society said. It'll reach it's midpoint of 73% coverage (the most we'll be able to see in Morris County) at exactly 2:44:28 p.m.. The moon will finish its journey at 4:00:59 p.m., when the sun will be totally uncovered again. (For more information on this and other local stories, subscribe to your Morris County Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

For those planning on watching the eclipse, it's important to note the dangers of looking directly at the sun, even during the peak of the eclipse in N.J. Doing so can cause serious eye damage, including blindness. (Read more about safety tips below the list of events.)

Where to watch in Morris County

Washington Township Public Library

From 1 to 4 p.m. on Aug. 21, the library will be live streaming the NASA broadcast of the total eclipse. The library also has a number of pairs of eclipse glasses that can be used on-site to view the partial eclipse in-person. Those borrowing the library's glasses are welcome to use them for a few moments outside, but must return them so others have a chance to see the solar event. Read more here.

Library of the Chathams

The event will be held Monday, Aug. 21 from noon to 4 p.m. All of the library's solar eclipse glasses have already been distributed, so make sure to bring your own if you want to watch outside. They'll also have a livestream from the path of totality. Read more here.

Parsippany Public Libraries

Both the Lake Hiawatha and Main Branch libraries will be live streaming the NASA broadcast of the total eclipse (Main's event is 12-4 p.m., Lake Hiawatha runs from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.). You can watch the NASA live stream on the library's movie screens, and hear scientists explain the science behind an eclipse. Read more here.

Morris Museum

Residents can gather to watch the astronomical phenomenon beginning at 1 p.m. at Morris Museum in Morristown. The event is family friendly, and kids are invited to come and enjoy the view and make crafts. Solar glasses are available for purchase in the gift shop. Read more here.

Sheep Hill Observatory

Sheep Hill Observatory in Boonton will be open to the public, and will have smaller telescopes set up for eclipse observers in anticipation of a line. To find more information about their observatory and library viewings, visit their Facebook event.

Denville

Have a student interested in astronomy? Denivlle Public Library is hosting a viewing event for kindergarten through sixth graders beginning at 2 p.m. Students can watch the eclipse outside, make arts and crafts, and watch a live stream of the path of totality. To register, visit denvillelibrary.org

Rockaway

The Rockaway Public Library will have a viewing party on Monday, but are already out of eclipse glasses. For those hoping to catch a glimpse, the party is from noon to 5 p.m., but make sure to bring your own glasses.

Jenny Jump State Park, Warren County

From 12:30 to 4 p.m. on Aug. 21, United Astronomy Clubs of New Jersey, Inc. (UACNJ) will host a viewing party in the state park, and will assist those interested in solar photography. The observatory is located inside Jenny Jump State Park. You can visit their website here, and read more here.

How To Watch Safely On Your Own

The only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun is through special “eclipse glasses” with solar filters, warns NASA. Many Morris County libraries are distributing free pairs of glasses, and the Morris Museum is selling pairs in the gift shop (some libraries have already run out, so call ahead before you make the tip). You can also purchase pairs online from, NASA-approved manufacturers. (Check out this NASA certified 10 pack from Amazon.)

Here are more safety tips from NASA here:

• Homemade filters or sunglasses are not safe for looking at the sun. Five manufacturers have certified that their eclipse glasses and handheld solar views meet international standards, and they are Rainbow Symphony, American Paper Optics, Thousand Oaks Optical, TSE 17 and Baader Planetarium.
• Stand still and cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses or solar viewer before looking up at the bright sun. After glancing at the sun, turn away and remove your filter — do not remove it while looking at the sun.
• Do not look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars or other optical device. Similarly, do not look at the sun through a camera, a telescope, binoculars or any other optical device while using your eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewer — the concentrated solar rays will damage the filter and enter your eye(s), causing serious injury. Seek expert advice from an astronomer before using a solar filter with a camera, a telescope, binoculars or any other optical device.

Image: A dog is given protective glasses by its owner prior to the solar eclipse in Regent's Park in London, Friday, March 20, 2015. Unfortunately due to heavy cloud cover, the eclipse was not visible in London. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Tom Davis (Patch Staff) contributed to this report