With a rare total solar eclipse slated to hit parts of the United States next week, we’re taking the opportunity to talk to science journalist David Baron. In his new book, he tells the story of the 1878 eclipse which had throngs of American scientists racing West to witness and study the celestial phenomenon. Baron is obsessed with eclipses himself, and he joins Doug to talk about how mind-blowing a total solar eclipse can be to both 19th and 21st-century observers.
David Baron is a science journalist and former environment correspondent for NPR. He's the author of The Beast in the Garden and his new book American Eclipse: A Nation's Epic Race to Catch the Shadow of the Moon and Win the Glory of the World. [Indie bookstores|Amazon|Audible]
If you're heading into the eclipse path, you need to plan ahead! Here are some tips to make your experience as smooth as possible:
- 2017 Total Solar Eclipse Viewing Tips, US Department of the Interior
- Eclipse Maps: [Idaho, Montana, Wyoming] NASA
- Plan Your Idaho Viewing Party, Southern Idaho Tourism
- Wyoming Solar Eclipse, Wyoming Travel
Can't make the trip? Northern Utah will experience a ~92% solar eclipse, with maximum coverage at 11:33 a.m.
- Utah Valley Astronomy Club [Details]
- Clark Planetarium will be at Wheeler Farm and The Gateway Plaza [Details]
- Salt Lake County Library Events/Multiple Locations [Details]
- Ogden Valley Library [Details]
- Ogden Treehouse Museum [Details]
- Tremonton City Library [Details]
- Logan Library [Details]
Or from the comfort of your own computer: