A total solar eclipse will be visible across North America on the afternoon of Monday, April 8. Although the path of the total eclipse runs through the middle of the country, a partial eclipse will be able to be seen locally, for those viewing the phenomenon safely.
Machicomoco State Park, Hayes, will be a great place for a viewing. Each of Virginia’s 42 state parks will begin selling special solar viewing glasses two weeks before the eclipse in their visitor center or gift shop for $1 plus tax, while supplies last. Machicomoco State Park’s gift shop is at the main entrance building.
The only safe way to view a solar eclipse is through specially designed solar filters or eclipse glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard.
Regular sunglasses or homemade filters are not safe for viewing the sun.
At Machicomoco, the eclipse will begin at 2:02 p.m. on April 8, reaching its peak at 3:20 p.m. The eclipse at that location will end at 4:31 p.m. At its peak, 80.5 percent of...