Get Ready for the April 8 Solar Eclipse!

March 5, 2024
Photograph of the phases of a total solar eclipse from start to finish

On April 8, 2024, the United States will experience a Total Solar Eclipse! While Brookline won’t be in the the path of totality, we will experience approximately 92% obscuration. The eclipse will begin at approximately 2:20 PM with maximum obscuration of 92% occurring at 3:30 PM and then the partial eclipse will conclude around 4:30 PM.

The Public Library of Brookline wants to help you safely experience the upcoming eclipse because there won’t be another total solar eclipse in the lower-48 states until 2044. We hope you’ll join us for a slate of eclipse themed programming at our Library locations.

  • Kids ideaSPACE: Eclipse Exploration
    • Join us on Wednesday, March 6 at 3 PM in Hunneman Hall at the Brookline Village Library to learn about what causes a solar eclipe, create an eclipse-themed craft, and safely view the sun. This program is for kids ages 5-9.
  • Eclipse Exploration for Everyone
    • Join us at the Brookline Village Library in Hunneman Hall on Saturday, March 9 at 2 PM to learn about the Eclipse, participate in Eclipse themed activities, and safely view the sun. This program is for all ages!
  • Tween ideaSPACE: Eclipse Projectors
    • Tweens in grades 5-7 should join us to make do-it-yourself eclipse projectors on Wednesday, March 13 at 3 PM in the Rabbit Hole at the Brookline Village Library. You’ll also get the chance to use a solar telescope and sunoculars to (safely) view the sun. Limited to the first 12 participants.
  • Eclipse Exploration at Putterham
    • Join us at 11 AM on Saturday, March 16 at the Putterham Library to start preparing for the upcoming eclipse! We’ll learn about Eclipse conditions, safely view the sun, and decorate (and eat!) a planetary cookie. Weather permitting, the first half of this program will take place outside. This program is for kids ages 7+ and supplies my be limited.
  • Solar Eclipses: Tracking the Shadows of the Moon!
    • Join Jim Zebrowski, president of the Aldrich Astronomical Society for a family friend talk about solar eclipses. This program is at 3:30 PM on Thursday, March 21 at the Putterham Library.
  • Let’s Go to the Moon! With Benadette Manning
    • NASA Solar System Ambassador Benadette Manning will join us at the Brookline Village Library on Monday, March 25 at 7PM to talk about the moon and give a hands on demonstration of how an eclipse works. This program is for all ages!
  • Kids ideaSPACE: Eclipse Viewers
    • Eclipse glasses aren’t the only way to safely view the eclipse! Kids ages 3-9 are invited to drop by the Rabbit Hole at the Brookline Village Library on Wednesday, April 3 between 2 and 3:30 PM to make their own solar eclipse viewer using our ideaSPACE tools and materials.

Limited quantities of eclipse glasses will be available at programs for program attendees only. For more information on suppliers of eclipse glasses, visit the American Astronomical Society.