Where To Watch The Solar Eclipse Locally

It may not be a total solar eclipse for us on the Southcoast, but the sky will still look pretty cool on the 21st. Here's where to watch this celestial event.

First things first, if you want to watch the solar eclipse on Monday August 21 you need to have the proper eye wear. Solar eclipse glasses are a MUST to prevent permanent damage to your eyes.

If you don't have these glasses, there are a few local places hosting Eclipse Viewing Parties that will actually provide them for you!

Here's where to go and watch...

1. Buttonwood Park Zoo

In New Bedford, 64.7% of the sun will be blocked out by peak eclipse time (about 2:45 p.m.) You can check it out at the zoo starting at 2 p.m. and they will give you the glasses!

2. Middleborough Public Library

Starting at 1:30 p.m. on the 21st, kids can learn about the Sun, hear how an eclipse occurs and even make a delicious sun cookie to eat during the eclipse!  Adults can skip the kid stuff and head to the Large Meeting Room at 2:30 p.m. for a pre-viewing meeting with instructions on how to watch safely and of course the glasses you'll need to do it.

3. Brownell Library, Little Compton

This Rhode Island library is celebrating the celestial event with snacks, drinks and free eclipse glasses all starting at 1 p.m.

4. Tiverton Public Library

Tiverton is throwing a party too for the big event on Monday August 21. They'll have folks from the Astronomical Society of Rhode Island on hand to answer questions about the eclipse, a telescope set up for up close viewing and if you bring a cereal box or shoe box you can learn how to make your own viewer. Plus kids can make their own solar ovens to cook up some s'mores and they'll be sun cookies for decorating! The event starts at 2 p.m. with viewing around 2:45 p.m.

5. UMASS Dartmouth Observatory

How could the Observatory not take advantage of the eclipse and throw a party! The UMASS viewing party won't be inside the observatory through the telescope, but instead in the big field around the building, meaning plenty of space. The event kicks off at 2 p.m. and is open to all ages. There will also be faculty on hand to answer eclipse questions and of course, eclipse glasses for safe viewing.