Written By: Farah Vitale

Get ready star gazers! The Great American Eclipse is on August 21st. It will cover about 85% of the sun in the Reno area and completely cover it in parts of Oregon. The last American total eclipse was in 1979 but did not reach coast to coast. The United States is the only place you can see it. Incredible.

In Reno, you can see the partial eclipse from 9 a.m. to until 15 minutes before noon.

The sky will look gray and overcast the morning of in Reno.  According to the Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center, prime time to see the sun as a crescent is between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. It will go completely dark for about two to three minutes in other portions of the United States. This includes parts of Oregon and will reach to Charleston, South Carolina. Don’t forget your eclipse shades though. Looking directly at the sun will damage your eyes. You can buy them anywhere but the Planetarium sells them for just $2 a pair. The library is giving them away free.

For tru star gazers, you might consider making your own pinhole projection viewer. You just take a couple pieces of cardboard or paper plates and make a hole in one of them. Then hold the card so that the image of the sun is projected on the card. You can also use the telescopes from the Planetarium, which is open on eclipse day. Washoe County Libraries will also be having special events just for the solar eclipse. Be sure to mark your calendars so you don’t miss then extraordinary event!

Follow Parc Forêt on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. Stay up to date on all things outdoors, as well as Montrêux events and the Reno-Tahoe area!

For real estate inquiries, stop by the beautiful Montrêux Welcome Center at 16475 Bordeaux Dr.  or call us at 775.849.9444. The Welcome Center is open 7 days a week, from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.