By now, everyone’s heard about the total solar eclipse taking place on August 21st, 2017. NASA will live stream the event from various locations. You may be surprised to learn that NASA’s headquarters for their eclipse coverage will be located in South Carolina on the campus of the College of Charleston. Of the many solar eclipse viewing events throughout South Carolina, some of them have met NASA’s strict guidelines and are actually endorsed by NASA. You can see a nationwide list of all of national NASA-endorsed events here. And we have a list of those taking place in South Carolina below.
NASA The eclipse event begins in Oregon and ends on a path that swipes right across the Palmetto State. With proper eclipse viewing glasses you may be able to see this event from your own yard, weather permitting.
NASA The eclipse is expected to have a path that is as much as 71.5 miles wide as it sweeps across the Palmetto State. The last two solar eclipses visible from South Carolina were in 1970 and 1900.
Facebook/Citadel Mall Charleston Even if you’re in the line of totality and you can see it from your own yard, you may decide you want to gather up the kids and head to a viewing event anyway. We’ve put together a list of the NASA-endorsed viewing events you can attend. Note, most have a limited amount of special glasses for viewing the eclipse. We recommend bringing your own just in case they run out.Here are the currently listed events on the NASA website.
- Charleston Riverdogs Eclipse Day - Charleston
Facebook/Charleston Riverdogs School is out on the 21st so the Riverdogs are hosting the event and game of a lifetime. Bring the kids starting at 1:00 p.m. to enjoy the festivities, view the eclipse and then watch a game that starts right after, at 4:05 p.m. Purchase tickets in advance at this link.
- University of South Carolina Total Eclipse Weekend - Columbia
Facebook/University of South Carolina Experience the eclipse on the campus of USC with a series of celestial exhibitions, expert discussions and scientific research. The Department of Physics and Astronomy is operating solar telescopes at 10 viewing stations across campus during the entirety of the eclipse. Additionaly, Solar Physicist Dr. Sarbani Basu, Department of Astronomy Chair at Yale University, will deliver a public lecture on August 18. More information.
- Citadel Mall Eclipse Extravaganza - Charleston
Flickr/Mike Kalasnik Head to this West Ashley location for free family fun and entertainment. Free eclipse glasses will be given to the first 500 attendees. Expect an afternoon of fun including inflatables for the children. This event will also be a fundraiser for Darkness To Light, a local non-profit organization. Citadel Mall is located at 2070 Sam Rittenberg Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407.
- Sloan Park Observatory Eclipse Viewing (College of Charleston event) - Mount Pleasant
Google Maps [streetview] Astronomers from the College of Charleston Observatory (a part of the Department of Physics and Astronomy) will be viewing the eclipse with solar-filter-equipped telescopes and other safe viewing methods (projection devices). This event is open and free to the public. Sloan Park is one of multiple eclipse information/viewing locations hosted by the College of Charleston Observatory. (View that list here.) The event at Sloan Park is from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please note, there’s minimal parking at this location. You’re advised to walk in or ride a bike. Sloan Park is located at 1559 Rifle Range Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464.
- Roper Mountain Science Center - Greenville
Facebook/Roper Mountain Science Center Roper Mountain is your solar eclipse central for learning about and viewing the eclipse. Their Monday viewing event is sold out. However, the two days leading up to the event will include planetarium displays and other educational events all related to the upcoming eclipse. More information.
- Waccamaw Branch Library Solar Eclipse - Pawleys Island
Friends of the Waccamaw Library This branch of the library will feature live streaming, photographers with special lenses, and other activities within the library. You must register for the event ahead of time in order to receive a pair of eclipse glasses. The library is located at 41 St Paul Pl, Pawleys Island, SC 29585. More information: (843)545-3623.
- College of Charleston Great American Eclipse 2017 - Charleston
Facebook/College of Charleston CofC students, faculty and staff are invited to an exclusive event to observe the historic solar eclipse from Rivers Green. The event will feature fun activities, informational displays, games and giveaway items for the CofC community. NASA TV will be broadcasting live from the event as the College serves as the headquarters for the space agency’s national coverage of the eclipse. Special digital displays of the sun will be showcased in Addlestone Library. For the safety of attendees, free eclipse viewing glasses – branded with the College logo and the date of the event – will be available at the event and at other locations on campus. This event is not open to the public, and a CofC ID is required for entry. Water stations, shaded areas and a cooling mist fan station will also be available. Editor’s Note: the information for this event at the College of Charleston has been updated specifically to announce it is a closed event and is NOT open to the general public. The update was made at the request of the College of Charleston on July 28, 2017.
- A. J. Whittenberg Elementary School Eclipse Fest - Greenville
GoogleMaps [streetview] Students, parents and the community are welcome for this family-friendly celebration and solar eclipse viewing. Look for fun and educational activity stations for elementary-aged children to learn more about the eclipse. Eclipse viewing glasses will be given away to the first 500 attendees. Meet at the backside of AJW for the celebration and viewing on the Kroc Center soccer field. The event is from 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 pm. This is a free event open to friends and family of AJW, and the school’s community partners. AJW is located at 420 Westfield St, Greenville, SC 29601.
Where will you be viewing the total eclipse of the sun? We’d love to know! Feel free to list other viewing events happening around the state in our comments as well.
NASA
The eclipse event begins in Oregon and ends on a path that swipes right across the Palmetto State. With proper eclipse viewing glasses you may be able to see this event from your own yard, weather permitting.
The eclipse is expected to have a path that is as much as 71.5 miles wide as it sweeps across the Palmetto State. The last two solar eclipses visible from South Carolina were in 1970 and 1900.
Facebook/Citadel Mall Charleston
Even if you’re in the line of totality and you can see it from your own yard, you may decide you want to gather up the kids and head to a viewing event anyway. We’ve put together a list of the NASA-endorsed viewing events you can attend. Note, most have a limited amount of special glasses for viewing the eclipse. We recommend bringing your own just in case they run out.Here are the currently listed events on the NASA website.
Facebook/Charleston Riverdogs
School is out on the 21st so the Riverdogs are hosting the event and game of a lifetime. Bring the kids starting at 1:00 p.m. to enjoy the festivities, view the eclipse and then watch a game that starts right after, at 4:05 p.m. Purchase tickets in advance at this link.
Facebook/University of South Carolina
Experience the eclipse on the campus of USC with a series of celestial exhibitions, expert discussions and scientific research. The Department of Physics and Astronomy is operating solar telescopes at 10 viewing stations across campus during the entirety of the eclipse. Additionaly, Solar Physicist Dr. Sarbani Basu, Department of Astronomy Chair at Yale University, will deliver a public lecture on August 18. More information.
Flickr/Mike Kalasnik
Head to this West Ashley location for free family fun and entertainment. Free eclipse glasses will be given to the first 500 attendees. Expect an afternoon of fun including inflatables for the children. This event will also be a fundraiser for Darkness To Light, a local non-profit organization. Citadel Mall is located at 2070 Sam Rittenberg Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407.
Google Maps [streetview]
Astronomers from the College of Charleston Observatory (a part of the Department of Physics and Astronomy) will be viewing the eclipse with solar-filter-equipped telescopes and other safe viewing methods (projection devices). This event is open and free to the public. Sloan Park is one of multiple eclipse information/viewing locations hosted by the College of Charleston Observatory. (View that list here.) The event at Sloan Park is from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please note, there’s minimal parking at this location. You’re advised to walk in or ride a bike. Sloan Park is located at 1559 Rifle Range Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464.
Facebook/Roper Mountain Science Center
Roper Mountain is your solar eclipse central for learning about and viewing the eclipse. Their Monday viewing event is sold out. However, the two days leading up to the event will include planetarium displays and other educational events all related to the upcoming eclipse. More information.
Friends of the Waccamaw Library
This branch of the library will feature live streaming, photographers with special lenses, and other activities within the library. You must register for the event ahead of time in order to receive a pair of eclipse glasses. The library is located at 41 St Paul Pl, Pawleys Island, SC 29585. More information: (843)545-3623.
Facebook/College of Charleston
CofC students, faculty and staff are invited to an exclusive event to observe the historic solar eclipse from Rivers Green. The event will feature fun activities, informational displays, games and giveaway items for the CofC community. NASA TV will be broadcasting live from the event as the College serves as the headquarters for the space agency’s national coverage of the eclipse. Special digital displays of the sun will be showcased in Addlestone Library. For the safety of attendees, free eclipse viewing glasses – branded with the College logo and the date of the event – will be available at the event and at other locations on campus. This event is not open to the public, and a CofC ID is required for entry. Water stations, shaded areas and a cooling mist fan station will also be available. Editor’s Note: the information for this event at the College of Charleston has been updated specifically to announce it is a closed event and is NOT open to the general public. The update was made at the request of the College of Charleston on July 28, 2017.
GoogleMaps [streetview]
Students, parents and the community are welcome for this family-friendly celebration and solar eclipse viewing. Look for fun and educational activity stations for elementary-aged children to learn more about the eclipse. Eclipse viewing glasses will be given away to the first 500 attendees. Meet at the backside of AJW for the celebration and viewing on the Kroc Center soccer field. The event is from 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 pm. This is a free event open to friends and family of AJW, and the school’s community partners. AJW is located at 420 Westfield St, Greenville, SC 29601.
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