Photo credit: NSF

In Greeley, a nearly three-hour partial eclipse is expected to take place between the hours of 10:23 a.m. and 1:14 p.m. (peak at 11:47 a.m.) on Monday, Aug. 21 — UNC's first day of fall classes.

As the date approaches, here's important information about the eclipse and how to view the rare spectacle, weather permitting, on campus.

• Speaking of spectacles: Use only approved eclipse glasses to watch the eclipse. Never look directly at the sun without them. NASA has a list of approved glasses on its all-things eclipse website, and UNC's Physics and Astronomy department has provided this document to view the eclipse safely (PDF link).
  
  
• Increased traffic: Even though only a partial eclipse will be viewable in Greeley, increased traffic in the area and in states north of Colorado, where "totality" will occur, is expected on the day of and in the days leading up to the eclipse. Plan accordingly. During the eclipse, it's advised to use headlights while driving. Check road conditions on CDOT's website.
  
  
• Watch the weather: Severe storms can materialize this time of year so be sure to get the latest conditions from the National Weather Service before heading out. Seek shelter if storms develop during the viewing.
  
  
• Viewing on campus: University Libraries will host an eclipse viewing in front of Michener Library from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 21. Peak viewing is at 11:47 a.m.The Libraries will be giving out NASA eclipse glasses, making pinhole viewers, talking about safe viewing, the importance of eclipses for scientific research, and eclipses in mythology and literature. For more information, visit http://libguides.unco.edu/Eclipse2017. A limited number of free glasses will also be available at 10:20 a.m. at the corner of 10th Avenue and 20th Street. 

• Opportunities to learn more: UNC's Physics and Astronomy department will offer a series of presentations leading up to the solar eclipse. Faculty will host the following public talks:
  • 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, at Erie Library, 400 Powers St.
  • 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15, at Centennial Park Library, 2227 23rd Ave. (Greeley)
  • 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, at Carbon Valley Regional Library, 7 Park Avenue (Firestone)
  • 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at Loveland Aleworks, 118 W. 4th St.

For those presentations, Assistant Professor Charles Kuehn has prepared the documents that he's made available to campus (PDF download):

General information on the solar eclipse

Safely observing the eclipse

The science behind eclipses