Eclipse watch parties in Richmond
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If you're stuck in Richmond for Monday's big-deal total solar eclipse, no worries. There are still ways you can experience it locally.
The big picture: Virginia isn't in the path of totality, but the Richmond area will see 83% coverage at around 3:18pm, according to NASA's eclipse explorer tool.
- The partial eclipse will start at 2:02pm and last until about 4pm.
Zoom in: Here are some ways to watch in town:
🌐 The Science Museum of Virginia is hosting a watch party from 2-4:30pm in front of its Broad Street building, on The Green.
- It's BYO-glasses, or you can pick some up in the museum's gift shop while supplies last.
🧑🔬 VCU's Physics department's viewing party is at the Compass (in front of the library) from 2-4pm.
- Glasses will be provided, but advanced registration is required.
🏞️ Virginia State Parks — all 42 of them — invite locals to come view the eclipse there and even included a handy guide of totality coverage and peak times at all of them.
- Glasses will be for sale for $1 in the visitor centers.
📚 Local libraries are also hosting viewing parties, including select Richmond locations and all of the Chesterfield branches, which will also show the NASA eclipse live stream.
- Glasses are free at participating libraries.
🛣️ But if you're up for a last-minute road trip, go north or west, young grasshopper: Southwest Virginia and the most Northern parts of the state will see up to 90% coverage.