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Solar Eclipse in Wichita, plus where to find Eclipse Glasses

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When is the solar eclipse in Wichita, Kansas? It will be on April 8th, 2024. Visit an eclipse watch party or buy solar eclipse glasses. Keep reading for more info!

What’s a solar eclipse? For just a few minutes, the moon will pass between Earth and the sun,  blocking the sun’s light — bringing temporary darkness to the day. (Depending on where you live, the coverage will vary.) In any case, it’s not to be missed, given it’s such a rare occurrence.

Will Wichita have a Full Eclipse? Wichita will have a partial eclipse, with around 89% of the sun being covered.

The next total solar eclipse won’t occur until Aug. 23, 2044, according to NASA.

The anticipated 2024 Solar Eclipse will cast its celestial spectacle upon Wichita, KS, offering a captivating and unforgettable experience for residents and visitors alike, and it’s FREE to watch (with proper glasses). As the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, momentarily obscuring the radiant solar disc, the skies above Wichita will darken, creating an atmosphere of wonder and anticipation.

In the heart of Wichita, families, friends, and curious individuals will gather in parks, open spaces, and designated viewing areas, eagerly awaiting the moment when the moon’s shadow begins its journey across the sun.

As daylight dims and temperatures subtly drop, the city will be enveloped in a unique ambiance, reminiscent of twilight during midday. Birds may momentarily cease their chirping, and animals may exhibit curious behaviors in response to the unusual dimming of the sunlight.

As the moon’s shadow traverses the sky, gradually revealing the sun’s brilliance once more, spectators will witness the gradual return of daylight and warmth to Wichita.

When is the Solar Eclipse in Wichita? 

  • In Wichita, the eclipse will begin at 12:31 p.m. and end at 3:06 p.m. Viewers will be able to see maximum coverage at 1:48 p.m., according to online global clock Time and Date.

Other cities where the partial eclipse will be fond and how much of the Sun will be blocked out:

  • Lawrence (88.35%)
  • Olathe (89.49%)
  • Osage City (88.10%)
  • Salina (83.66%)
  • Topeka (87.18%)

Eclipse Watch Party at Exploration Place 

Date: April 8th, 2024
Time: Noon – 2 pm
Price: $5 for $2 for members

Everyone is welcome to join us at Festival Plaza in front of Exploration Place for a Solar Eclipse Watch Party and Celebration for just $5. Get your tickets here on the Explorations Website.

What you get for your $5 Watch Party Ticket: 

  • Receive a pair of certified eclipse glasses upon entrance, ensuring you can safely witness this celestial spectacle.
  • Activites and games and more at Festival Plaza.
  • Your ticket allows you admission to the museum for the rest of the day.
  • Guided watch party leading up to the eclipse’s highest point.
  • Live stream of NASA’s eclipse coverage in Kemper Theater.
  • Access to food trucks on the Plaza.
  • Learn why the moon can cover the sun and the different elements of a solar eclipse.

Pro Tip: For just $5, you get everything listed above and admission to the museum, typically $15 for youth and $20 for adults. This event is a DEAL!

Whether you’re a homeschool student, part of a daycare group, or just curious about eclipses, this event is perfect for all ages.

Tickets are selling fast, and they have a limited supply of glasses available. Get your $5 Tickets HERE.

Solar Eclipses Wichita

It’s Necessary to Use Solar Glasses:

Before you look up, you need to protect your eyes and wear special solar eclipse glasses. A regular pair of sunglasses won’t cut it. And never ever look directly at the sun without proper protection. You need ones that are NASA-approved and ISO-certified. (According to the AAS article referenced by NASA, you should look for glasses that are verified by an accredited testing lab to meet the ISO 12312-2 standard.

During every solar eclipse, shielding your eyes from the sun’s rays is very important as they can induce retinal burns, also known as solar retinopathy. The most effective means of protection are solar eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer. If using cameras, binoculars, or telescopes to observe the eclipse, ensure proper solar filters are installed on the front of the device’s lens.

Pro Tip: Watch the live NASA broadcast on their You Tube channel if you dont have the proper eye protection.

Where can you get solar eclipse glasses in Wichita?

Exploraton Place Wichaita

You can purchase a pair of certified solar glasses for $2 per pair on the Explore site or at their online site.

SolarEclipseUSA.com – FREE

If you only need one pair of solar eclipse glasses you can order a pair from SolarEclipseUSA.com. They have 30,000 pairs to give away, one per household. To get yours, you’ll have to send a self-addressed stamped business-size envelope (#10 envelope) inside another #10 envelope and address that one to:

Solar Eclipse Promotion
PO BOX 219
Centerville, MO 63633-0219

You should get your pair of solar eclipse glasses in about 8 weeks. This promotion is good while supplies last.

Eclipse Glasses at Libraries – Free (This Deal is Over!) 

Thanks to grants, more than 2 million FREE eclipse glasses have been distributed to 10,000-plus libraries across the U.S. — public, state, and tribal libraries, as well as book mobiles. Here is a map of libraries giving away complimentary solar eclipse glasses — click here. There is a huge demand for glasses, so call ahead to confirm participation and availability.

I’ve looked at the map, and none of the participating libraries are in Wichita. However, some Kansas libraries — including a few near Wichita — are indicated as participating on the map.

But if you’re not a patron of those libraries, you may still find low-cost and free glasses with which to view the eclipse.

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