Joshua Tree to Offer Front-Row Seat for Solar Eclipse

Joshua Tree National Park will offer a front-row seat for one of the biggest celestial events of the year. On May 20, large areas of the western United States will experience an annular solar eclipse, an event last seen in the United States in 1994. In the hours before sunset, the Earth's moon will pass in front of the sun casting a giant shadow across the land. The view from some areas of the country will look like a "ring of fire," with the moon centered on the sun. Joshua Tree is in the zone to experience a partial (near total) eclipse.

To mark the occasion, the park will provide great viewing opportunities of this highly anticipated event. Special solar eclipse activities will take place at the Oasis Visitor Center in Twentynine Palms, which is located at 74485 National Park Drive.

Here is the schedule of activities:

Noon	Telescopes with special filters will be set up to allow viewing of the sun. Long before the eclipse is visible, solar observers will be able to see sunspots and any solar flare activity.
4:40 pm	Rangers will offer presentations about the eclipse and will show participants how to make a pinhole viewing device for safely viewing the event.
5:25 pm	Approximate time for the start of the eclipse event as seen from Joshua Tree National Park. Special viewing glasses will be available; never look directly at the sun!
6:38 pm	The eclipse will reach it's peak as seen from the park.
7:44 pm	Sunset
8 pm	Night Sky Program