New England

Solar Eclipse: Celebrating the Rare Event in New England

People across the U.S. experienced Monday’s solar eclipse, a rare event that prompted plenty of watch parties in New England.

At MIT, big crowds were on hand for their free viewing party. 

From Cambridge, a maximum of 63 percent of the sun was blocked by the moon at 2:46 p.m. 

The event at MIT's Kresge Oval started at 1:30 p.m. The eclipse happened over 2 1/2 hours, with 2:46 p.m. being the time of maximum coverage.

Two telescopes at the school provided an even better view. 

Since it’s dangerous to look directly at the eclipse, you needed special viewing glasses, which were provided by MIT. Many online vendors sold out of the glasses and officials warned to be on the lookout for counterfeit glasses.

Click here for more places holding special events in the Boston-area.

The next total solar eclipse in the U.S. will be in 2024. The next coast-to-coast one will not be until 2045.

Here are 10 more useful solar eclipse links:

  1. 5 Things You Need to Know About the Total Solar Eclipse
  2. How to Keep Your Eyes Safe During the Solar Eclipse
  3. How to Take Safe, Quality Phone Pictures of the Eclipse
  4. Total Solar Eclipse Driving Tips
  5. Watching the Solar Eclipse From Above And Below
  6. Traveling for the Eclipse
  7. How You Can Help Gather Eclipse Data
  8. Interactive: How Old Will You Be to Witness the Next Total Solar Eclipse?
  9. Cellphone Service Could Be Spotty for Eclipse-Watchers
  10. The Path of the 2017 Solar Eclipse
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