Dr. Edward Herrick-Gleason, director of University of Maine’s Southworth Planetarium, talked to a Bridgton audience on Feb. 29 about the eclipse. Submitted photo
The Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club hosted Dr. Edward Herrick-Gleason, director of University of Maine’s Southworth Planetarium, for a talk before a crowded Magic Lantern audience on Feb. 29.
While his talk focused on the upcoming eclipse, he spent time explaining not only the mechanics of the eclipse, but also the power of the sun and Earth’s small part in the Solar System. Herrick-Gleason made his talk accessible to all, providing a brief history of the universe, then a briefer history of the eclipses in the region, and asking questions of the audience about when future eclipses might occur there.
As for this eclipse, those in the greater Bridgton area can expect to see a 98% coverage of the sun and the resulting darkening of the sky on Monday, April 8. For more informaiton visit science.nasa.gov.
More than 70 people attended, many leaving with special eye coverings which must be worn when looking at the sun during the eclipse. These same eye coverings are being offered for free to elementary schools in the Lakes Region. Students will study this eclipse as part of their curriculum.
For those who still need protective eye coverings, Rotarians plan to have “glasses” for sale at $2 each at the free Community Kettle at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7, at the Bridgton Community Center, Depot Street.
For more information, email lakeregionrotary@gmail.com.
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