Solar eclipse watch parties in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES - Monday’s total solar eclipse might become one of the most filmed and photographed events of the year.
As the moon passed in front of the sun, plunging a swath of North America into a few minutes of darkness, throngs took pictures or videos of the moment. But powerful solar rays and drastic changes in lighting pose unique challenges in catching that perfect image.
The eclipse reached Mexico’s Pacific coast in the morning, cut diagonally across the U.S. from Texas to Maine and exited eastern Canada by late afternoon. Most of the rest of the continent saw a partial eclipse.
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With the eclipse falling on a Monday, cities and towns along the path lined up activities and watch parties to attract visitors. There were a multitude of music festivals and gatherings planned at museums, parks, wineries and other businesses hoping to capitalize on the buzz.
Here were a few watch parties in LA:
California Science Center
The California Science Center held an event from 10 a.m. to noon to watch the solar eclipse.
Solar eclipse glasses wiere be available on a first come, first served basis. Limit two pairs of glasses per family. To learn more, tap or click here.
Cal State LA
Cal State LA experienced the partial eclipse from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the main walkway between the Biological Sciences Building and the Annenberg Science Complex.
Cal State Long Beach
Cal State Long Beach's Department of Physics and Astronomy had a viewing event starting on the campus' upper quad. Eclipse safety glasses and access to solar telescopes were be available, according to the school.
Caltech
Caltech watched at the Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics and the adjacent space. There were solar telescopes, free eclipse glasses and astrophysicists on hand to help everyone get the most out of this rare experience.
Astronomers and volunteers were be present to guide you through the eclipse and answer questions.
Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory hosted a live online broadcast of the total solar eclipse from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Weather permitting, the observatory’s astronomical broadcast team, joining the Griffith Observatory Foundation eclipse trip in Belton, Texas, provided a live broadcast of the entire total solar eclipse from that location.
LA County libraries
During Monday's eclipse, several branches offered viewing events and solar glasses. Participating branches were: East Los Angeles, Stevenson Ranch, El Camino Real, Lloyd Taber-Marina Del Rey, Chet Holifield, Diamond Bar, Acton Agua Dulce, Manhattan Beach, Rowland Heights, Woodcrest and Lake Los Angeles.
Pierce College
Pierce College hosted a solar eclipse watch party from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the second-floor balcony of the Center for the Sciences.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
