Solar eclipse viewing

The Department of Natural Sciences will host an observation of this spring’s solar eclipse, giving the local community a unique opportunity to view the moon passing in front of the sun.

The gathering will begin, weather permitting, at 12:40 p.m. outside the entrance to the B.D. Owens Library. The peak of the eclipse is expected to occur at about 1:55 p.m., and the event will conclude at 2:30 p.m.

The observation, which is free and open to the public, will provide attendees with an opportunity to view the eclipse through telescopes with solar filters that allow for direct observation as well as projections as it happens. Solar glasses also will be available to attendees while supplies last.

Viewers in Maryville can expect to witness about 90 percent of the sun covered by the moon during the event. While the region also experienced a solar eclipse last October, the April event will be the last eclipse visible in the contiguous United States until 2044.