All that's to come ... ... the sun is eclipsed by the moon
Courtesy of NASA. Photo by S. Habbal, M. Druckmuller, and P. Aniol.
The Total Eclipse of the Sun color-changing, heat-activated stamps are available in Kalispell. At first glance the stamps appear to be the moon eclipsing the sun; however, when someone presses a finger to the stamp the image of the full moon is revealed. The stamps debuted in June. A page of 16 stamps is $7.84. (Brenda Ahearn/This Week in the Flathead)
Tyler Martin, general manager of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts in Kalispell, does a test run demonstrating the new chocolate glaze which is a limited-time special offer coinciding with the solar eclipse. The doughnuts will be available beginning Friday, Aug. 18, at 6 p.m., through Monday, Aug. 21. (Brenda Ahearn photos/This Week in the Flathead)
A row of Krispy Kreme doughnuts pass through the special chocolate glaze in a test run in Kalispell. Krispy Kreme’s most popular doughnut is their original glaze. They are temporarily mixing things up by adding milk chocolate and dark chocolate to the glaze for four days coinciding with the solar eclipse.
(Photo courtesy ARNE DANIELSON/NASA) Sunlight peeks through the low points on the moon’s jagged edge during the 2002 total solar eclipse, creating a phenomenon known as Baily’s Beads.
@ 2010 Miloslav Druckmuller, Martin Dietzel, Shadia Habbal, Vojtech Rusin/Courtesy of NASA
This photo provided by Bob Baer and Sarah Kovac, participants in the Citizen CATE Experiment, shows a “diamond ring” shape during the 2016 total solar eclipse in Indonesia. For the 2017 eclipse over the United States, the National Science Foundation-funded movie project nicknamed Citizen CATE will have more than 200 volunteers trained and given special small telescopes and tripods to observe the sun at 68 locations in the exact same way. The thousands of images from the citizen-scientists will be combined for a movie of the usually hard-to-see sun’s edge. (R. Baer, S. Kovac/Cit…
This week, the most profound art and best entertainment will be provided by Mother Nature herself in the form of a total solar eclipse on Monday, Aug. 21.
While the Flathead Valley won’t be experiencing totality — the sun won’t be completely blocked from view — it will still be a rare sight to behold.
According to NASA, the eclipse will begin at 10:16 a.m. local time. Peak coverage will occur at 11:31 a.m., and it will end at 12:51 p.m. To watch online or get more information, visit https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/montana.
There are viewing parties and events scheduled around the valley to celebrate the celestial event. Wherever you are, don’t forget to wear protective eclipse glasses or use a projector.
There are other ways to celebrate the eclipse as well. The Kalispell Krispy Kreme will be offering special chocolate eclipse doughnuts beginning Friday at 6 p.m. and running through the weekend. The U.S. Post Office has “Total Eclipse of the Sun” stamps available, and a variety of local restaurants, bars and shops have drink and food specials corresponding to the event.
Here are some of the eclipse and viewing parties happening locally:
Solar Eclipse Pre-Party
Sunday, Aug. 20, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Coop, Columbia Falls
A Solar Eclipse Pre-Party will be held at the Coop in Columbia Falls to raise funds for the up-and-coming Glacier Children’s Museum. The mission of the Glacier Children’s Museum is to bring families together through fun, hands-on exhibits and interactive activities that inspire learning and discovery. Money raised through this event will go toward exhibits and securing a permanent location.
The Solar Eclipse Pre-Party is a free family event held the day before the eclipse. There will be hands-on demonstrations of the eclipse and educational information about this rare phenomenon, eclipse crafts for kids, photo booth, themed treats for purchase, lemonade stand, climbing wall, raffle and silent auction items donated from The Sportsman and Ski Haus, Glacier Restaurant Group, Glacier Guides and Montana Raft Co., Swan Mountain Outfitters, Apple Barrel, Murdoch’s, and Big Sky Water Park. ISO- and CE-certified eclipse viewing glasses will also be on sale.
For more information, contact glaciercm@gmail.com or visit our Facebook event page.
Solar Eclipse River Party
Monday, Aug. 21, 8 a.m.
Middle Fork of the Flathead River
11970 U.S. 2 E., West Glacier
The Solar Eclipse River Party entails a special scenic float — suitable for ages 3 and older — on the Flathead River. Participants will meet at 8 a.m. at Glacier Guides and Montana Raft and be on the river by 9 a.m. The group will get off the river around 11 a.m., lay out pads and blankets, put on special eclipse sunglasses (included) and watch the show. A homemade, largely organic and locally sourced lunch will be served toward the end of the eclipse.
While watching the eclipse, a Sky Specialist will discuss all things moon, sun and stars, as well as Glacier National Park’s recent International Dark Sky Designation. Space is limited. Choose the 8 a.m. launch on Aug. 21 to book online, or call the office at 406-387-5555.
Cost is $97 for adults and $74 per child.
Eclipse at the Summit
Monday, Aug. 21
Whitefish Mountain Resort
Whitefish Mountain Resort is offering a scenic lift ride to the summit for the best viewing of the eclipse in the Flathead Valley. Scenic lift rides are free for winter 2016/17 season pass holders, and $8/one-way, $15/round-trip for adult non-pass holders. For more information, visit http://skiwhitefish.com/scenic-lift-rides.
Solar Eclipse Block Party
Monday, Aug. 21, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
North Lake County Public Library, Polson
The North Lake County Public Library in Polson is holding a Solar Eclipse Block Party from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday.
The North Lake County Library Foundation will be hosting a $5 hot dog lunch with all proceeds going toward the Family Summer Reading Program. Mission Valley Eye Center/Ronan Eye Clinic has sponsored the purchase of more than 200 pairs of eclipse glasses that will be available that day for safe viewing.
Epic Solar Eclipse Party
Monday, Aug. 21, 10 a.m.
Preston-Hot Springs Public Library, Hot Springs
Preston-Hot Springs Public Library is holding an Epic Solar Eclipse Party Monday. There will be solar eclipse glasses, food, drink, music, book and rummage sale, a car wash and bake sale.
The event starts at 10 a.m. This free event is open to the public and appropriate for all ages.
The library is located at 203 Main St., Hot Springs. For more information, call 406-741-3491 or visit https://prestonhotspringslibrary.wordpress.com.
FVCC Eclipse Viewing
Monday, Aug. 21, 10:30 a.m. to noon
Campus Lawn, FVCC, Kalispell
FVCC invites the community to view the solar eclipse from the Kalispell campus on Aug. 21 from 10:30 a.m. and noon. A limited number of eclipse viewing glasses will available so guests can safely look at the sun. Free and open to the public, the viewing will take place on the campus lawn adjacent to the Rebecca Chaney Broussard Center for Nursing and Health Science. Guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets.
H.E.R.B.’s Solar Eclipse Party
Monday, Aug. 21, 6 p.m.
Silver Bullet, Columbia Falls
H.E.R.B. is throwing a Solar Eclipse Party at the new Silver Bullet Bar and Casino, 1700 Montana 206, Columbia Falls. This free show will start at 6 p.m., and includes performances by Retrieving Barbara, Virus Invaders Blue, Triple T and Chach, H.E.R.B. and special guests.
Arts and Entertainment Editor Stefanie Thompson can be reached at 758-4439 or ThisWeek@dailyinterlake.com.