It’s almost time! The countdown is on for the 2017 Solar Eclipse. Let's say you're not lucky enough to find yourself along the narrow strip of totality during the coming solar eclipse on Aug. 21. Don't feel bad — you still may get a stellar view.
NASA will livestream the celestial extravaganza as it marches across the country from Oregon to South Carolina. And a partial eclipse will be unfolding in the skies all across Washington state, ranging from about 87 percent coverage in Blaine, Whatcom County, to more than 99 percent in Camas, Clark County.
In Seattle, about 92 percent of the sun will be covered by the moon. For Seattle, the eclipse will begin at 9:08 a.m., reach maximum coverage at 10:21 a.m. and be over by 11:39 a.m.
Here are some events, tips and ways to watch:
• NASA’s livestream (www.nasa.gov/eclipselive) will be available online starting at about 9 a.m. and will include videos and images from aircraft and balloons.
• Fourteen branches of the Seattle Public Library will show the NASA livestream beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 21.
• Paying visitors can watch the livestream at the Museum of Flight’s auditorium or at the Pacific Science Center, which will open at 8:30 a.m. on eclipse day. The science center will also host an eclipse-viewing event and provide eclipse glasses with admission to the first 800 visitors.
• The Museum of Flight will host a free viewing event on the lawn, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., with NASA and museum staff on hand. Free eclipse glasses will be available to the first 1,000 visitors.
Several community centers and libraries across Seattle will host outdoor viewing parties. Free eclipse glasses will be available as long as supplies last.
• Bryant Neighborhood Playground, 40th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 65th Street, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 21.
• High Point Branch, 3411 S.W. Raymond St., 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 21.
• South Park Community Center, 8319 Eighth Ave. S., 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 21.
• Northgate Branch, 10548 Fifth Ave. N.E., 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 21.
Some King County library branches, including Des Moines, Redmond, Bellevue, Shoreline and Valley View are hosting eclipse-viewing events from 9:45 a.m. to 11 a.m. with free eclipse glasses available as long as supplies last.
Regardless of whether you watch on your own or with a group, make sure you’re watching the eclipse safely, either with ISO-certified eclipse glasses or another safe viewing method.
For all your eclipse related questions, head to Nasa.com where they of course have an eclipse countdown clock and information page.
