What an experience! We hope you had a great day Monday! We did!
Now here are a couple of options to recycle the eclipse glasses and reused for future events! If you know of other drop off locations, send us information and we will add to this list!
ECLIPSE GLASSES USA – Eclipse Give Back
SHIP TO:
ECLIPSE GLASSES USA, LLC
PO BOX 50571
PROVO, UT 84605
Clean Refillery – drop off and they will mail in to be used for the next eclipse
Bath High School – collecting eclipse glasses to send to children in Latin America for the October 2024 annular eclipse.
Feighner Boat Lifts & Docks – drop off available at Perry and Charlotte locations
Impression 5 Science Center – drop off and they will send glasses to Astronomers Without Borders for the next eclipse
Did you hear there was an eclipse on Monday where the Greater Lansing area will be less than 90 minutes away from total darkness? Of course you did! Lots of people are talking about the solar eclipse Monday, April 8 and there is no shortage of things to do!
Traffic safety speaking, read below for recommendations from Michigan State Police if you will be driving during the eclipse.
Lucky for the Greater Lansing area there is Abrams Planetarium on the Michigan State University campus and Shannon Schmoll, Director, Abrams Planetarium, is an “expert on basic astronomy, naked-eye astronomy, eclipses, constellations and the night sky.” (Michigan State University, MSU Today, Expert Detail).
Shannon is no stranger to Greater Lansing Area Moms. She was a Meet a Mom with us last year and today she shares a bit about what some are calling The Great North American Eclipse.
What are you most looking forward to during the eclipse next week?
One watching it with my family. My kids were 4 months and 4 years old during the last one so I am hoping they both get a bit more out of it. Plus this will be my third total eclipse and the first two seemed so different from each other I am curious to see how this one compares. Also, I have gotten into birding so I am definitely going to pay attention to birds more than I have before.
Are your kids looking forward to it?
I asked them and they both said yes. My eldest is looking forward to just seeing the eclipse again and watching the moon cover the sun. My youngest said she is excited to see it and to be old enough to remember it this time.
Anything else you would like to share or interesting tidbits about what to expect?
In Lansing, there will be a partial eclipse and at maximum coverage it will be about 96% of the sun covered. Maximum eclipse is 3:12 pm for the Lansing area and make sure you have your eye protection. There are great activities out there to make indirect viewers with kids if you want an eclipse themed project. To see the total solar eclipse you will need to drive a bit into the path of Totality. Ohio is the closest place in the path and it is quite different from even a 99% partial. Do be prepared for traffic, especially on the way home though.
Where will you be observing the eclipse?
I will be in Toledo, OH. Fingers crossed the weather is nice.
And finally, do you still have eclipse glasses available for sale?
We still have some for $1 at our gift counter. They are going fast but we have a healthy supply for the moment.
Thank you Shannon! Safe travels to the total solar eclipse! ☀️😎
🕶️ Abrams Planetarium
🕶️ Deadtime Stories, REO Town
🕶️ Capital Area District Libraries – pick up at your local CADL district branch, limitations apply, details HERE
🕶️ Impression 5 Science Center – SOLD OUT!
🕶️ Quark! (eclipse glasses, and lovely eclipse related jewelry too)
🕶️ In a hurry or are places out? Amazon has them too. Just make sure they comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard.
NASA and the American Astronomical Society reminds, eclipse glasses are NOT regular sunglasses. Regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the Sun. Safe solar viewers are thousands of times darker and While NASA does not approve any particular brand of solar viewer they suggest safe solar views that are thousands times darker than sunglasses and should comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard.
Already have glasses and want to make sure they are safe?
NASA provides instructions on how to test glasses and Find Out if Your Eclipse Glasses Are Safe
What to wear?
Scientists Suggest Wearing Red And Green During The Eclipse (iflscience.com)
Below you will find some Michigan specific information about peak viewing times around the Great Lake State along with a couple of events. Check back, we will add more events as they pop up!
☀️ Bath Township Public Library is hosting a Solar Eclipse Story Time & Watch Party
☀️ El Azteco East is hosting a Partial Eclipse Watch Party
☀️ Ingham County Animal Control is hosting a Total Eclipse of the Heart Adoption Special
☀️ Lansing Brewing Company is hosting a Solar Eclipse Watch Party
☀️ MSU Libraries is hosting an Eclipse Viewing Party at Main Library Plaza
☀️ Strange Matter Coffee is making solar eclipse inspired donuts!
DONUT SPECIALS SCHEDULE: 🗓️👇
4/6-4/8: Dark Cocoa Moon Bismark
4/8 ONLY: Sun Bismark
4/8 ONLY: Galaxy Glaze (Vanilla)
☀️ Kalamazoo Air Zoo is hosting an Eclipse 2024 Viewing Party
☀️ Michigan Science Center is hosting an Eclipse Viewing Party with Ford House
Below, Abrams Planetarium shares some location specific information for East Lansing, Detroit, Sault Ste. Marie and also from a 100% Totality location, Toledo.
The 2024 Total Eclipse Path through Michigan – eclipse2024.org shares:
Before moving east, let’s talk about Michigan. As in Tennessee, only a very tiny sliver of the far, far Southeastern portion of the state will be in the path – and that will be right along the edge. We’re not talking about Detroit, either – it’s not even close. Ditto Monroe or Adrian – they’re not in the path. Not even Temperance or Lambertville will see totality, either – they both lie outside the path! We mean only a few square miles of the absolute tiniest, most southeastern slice of Michigan is in the path. I-75 is in the path, coming north out of Toledo – but only as far as the exit at Erie Road! There’s just not many places in Michigan to see totality, but if you’re set on doing it from here, the Lost Peninsula Marina will see over a minute. Anywhere east of state road 125 will be in the path, but keep in mind you’re near the northern limit; this means that edge effects will reduce the amount of actual totality you see. (You likely won’t get even as much as a minute.) The Bedford Hills golf club is barely on the edge, and anywhere west of that is not going to see totality. (We told you it wasn’t much!) Best of luck if you’re viewing from Michigan – but if you do get to see totality, tell us your story! There won’t be many people who see 2024’s totality from here, and we’d like to hear how it went for you on eclipse day!
If you’re interested, totality first touches Michigan at about 15:12:40EDT, and leaves it (traveling over 2100 mph!) at 15:14:13EDT, at the end of that barren peninsula that just south from Luna Pier.
Bath High School Astronomy teacher, Kelly Scott shares with WLNS about plans for her students on Monday as they learn and prepare for the total solar eclipse.
The Detroit Free Press shares a comprehensive statewide list below.
Driving in the darkness?
Michigan State Police reminds to ensure everyone stays safe on the roads during the eclipse, follow these driving tips:
- Avoid travel during the height of the eclipse, if at all possible.
- Don’t park along the highway or park on the shoulder in order to view the eclipse. Exit the roadway and find a safe place to park.
- Do not take photos while driving.
- Do not wear eclipse glasses while driving.
- Watch for pedestrians, especially on secondary roads.
- If you must travel, turn on your headlights and don’t rely on automatic headlights.
NASA shares safe viewing tips to make sure your viewing experience is safe.
NASA How to Safely View the Eclipse (a Spanish version is also available)
NASA’s Neurodiversity Network (N3) is provides information specifically for neurodiverse learners and adults with their Neurodiversity Network Eclipse Guide
NASA Additional Eclipse Safety
Total Eclipse? There is an app for that. Download The Eclipse App!
It offers a Guided Countdown, Cloud Forecasts and Eclipse Communities
Did you hear that Delta added a second flight from Austin-Detroit for fliers to catch the total solar eclipse in-air! Talk about inflight entertainment! Interestingly enough, Delta also provided a list of other flights fliers will get a glimpse one being an outbound flight from Detroit to Westchester, NY
- DL 5699, DTW-HPN, 2:59 pm EST departure
- DL 924, LAX-DFW, 8:40 am PST departure
- DL 2869, LAX-SAT, 9:00 am PST departure
- DL 1001, SLC-SAT, 10:08 am MST departure
- DL 1683, SLC-AUS, 9:55 am MST departure
Happy sun viewing Greater Lansing Area Moms! Don’t miss it! The whole show starts and finishes in only about a minute and a half. And remember, this is the last total eclipse over North America until 2044! Enjoy!
If you see other eclipse viewing opportunities, events, activities and fun, please send details to [email protected] and we will add to this list and to our community event calendar!
