DEAR SUN SPOTS: That was an interesting article in this past Sunday’s newspaper by Kay Neufeld about the solar eclipse. Will Lewiston-Auburn see any effect of the April 8 solar eclipse? — No name, Lewiston

ANSWER: For all things eclipse go to the Eclipse 2024 webpage at https://eclipse2024.org/eclipse-cities/city/18987.html to see what is expected to happen in your area. There is a boatload of information on the site, including simulated videos of the eclipse, calculated timing, certified eclipse-viewing glasses for sale, and much more.

According to this website, the centerline of the eclipse will enter the state about 2:18 p.m. with a deep partial eclipse in Lewiston and a magnitude of 97.7% occurring about 3:30 p.m. The exact longitudes, latitudes, and viewing times are listed on this site.

At the National Eclipse website https://nationaleclipse.com/states/2024-total-solar-eclipse-maine.html, all the Maine towns are listed where the total eclipse will be seen.

If you’re on the fence about traveling to northern Maine to experience the total eclipse — anything under 100% magnitude is partial — it will cause you to consider planning now to travel to the county as explained at the website https://maineeclipse.com/close-is-not-close-enough/.

After April 8, the next total solar eclipse that can be seen in the contiguous United States will be Aug. 23, 2044.

For even more information, check out https://maineeclipse.com/ too. And if you missed Kay’s article, you can find it here: https://www.pressherald.com/2024/01/28/in-path-of-april-solar-eclipse-small-town-maine-sees-big-tourist-opportunity/.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Lewiston-Auburn Optimist Club has two scholarship opportunities for local residents. The essay contest offers a $2,500 scholarship based on the topic “Optimism: How It Connects Us.”

The oratorical contest also offers a $2,500 scholarship based on the presentation “How to Change the World with Optimism.”

The guidelines require that contestants be under the age of 19 as of Oct. 1, 2023, and attending school in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean. The winner of the contest will advance to the New York-New England District contest to compete for a $2,500 college scholarship.

The district-level scholarships are funded by the Optimist International Foundations. Optimist Clubs’ contest rules and qualifications are listed on the application form. Essays are due to the Optimist Club by Feb. 10.

The winner of the local Optimist Club essay contest must complete the club application and meet the requirements before the essay is submitted to the district for final judging.

You may also visit our national website at www.optimist.org for additional information and to obtain copies of the rules, regulations and application forms. Please contact any Optimist Club member or call 783-5269 or email gwmathews91@gmail.com. — George, no town

ANSWER: This is a reminder that the deadline for applying for this scholarship is coming up. If you know a student who could benefit from this scholarship, contact George.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name. We won’t use it if you ask us not to. Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

Copy the Story Link