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Partial Eclipse at the Park
Offering a perfect view to the heavens, Pullman National Historical Park and State Historic Site announce an eclipse viewing party on April 8, 2024 from 1-3 p.m.
“The park gounds here at Pullman offer a wide open vantage for the coming solar eclipse,” explained Historic Pullman Foundation Programs Director, Rebecca Conant. “Chicago will experience 95% coverage, so weather permitting, this is the place to be!”
The event features local NASA Ambassador Mark Benson, who will be on hand to answer questions and offer guidance on viewing the eclipse. “These are rare events, especially when you get totality or this close to it,” said Benson. “So many things have to be just right for a total solar eclipse.”
The last total solar eclipse in the Chicago area happened in 1806. The next total eclipse here in the city won’t happen until September 14, 2099.
The event is hosted by the National Park Service(NPS), Historic Pullman Foundation(HPF) and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources(IDNR).
Viewers can enjoy eclipse themed snacks, a limited number of viewing glasses, hands-on activities with the NPS Rangers, and Ask a NASA Ambassador Q&A session with Mark Benson. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs if they need seating.
“We’re 93 million miles from our star, and the Moon is 400 times smaller than the Sun,” explained Benson. “To have them line up so perfectly is awe-inspiring."
In the Chicago area, the eclipse begins at 12:51 p.m. on April 8 as the Moon moves between the Sun and the Earth. The height of the event will be at 2:08 p.m.
“It’s quite a privilege to be so close to the path of totality, and we’re making the most of it,” explained Conant.
For more information about the eclipse viewing party, visit the Pullman National Historical Park website or go to pullmanil.org. If you have any questions or are interested in covering the event, please contact Bart Darress at [email protected] or Lisa Burback at [email protected].
"For just over an hour on this one day, there's nothing quite like it in our little corner of the universe," said Benson.
Event Links
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/2283257-0
