GRAVETTE -- The Great North American Solar Eclipse will cross the United States on Monday, April 8, resulting in a 97.2% partial eclipse over Gravette beginning at 12:33 p.m. and ending at 3:09 p.m., with the maximum coverage at 1:51 p.m.
The Gravette Public Library will begin distributing free solar eclipse glasses at its grand re-opening from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 23. Glasses will also be available at Austin Drug, the Gravette Eye Clinic, Teasley Drug and the OCH Clinic while supplies last. 130 pairs of glasses will also be distributed through the Billy V. Hall Senior Activity Center for those patrons who dine in there and those who participate in the Meals on Wheels program. The glasses were donated to the library through the Science-Technology Activities & Resources for Libraries and the Arkansas State Library.
"It's important to read the instructions on the solar viewing glasses and to make sure the black plastic within the paper frame is not scratched or broken," said Karen Benson, library director. "Do not look at the sun through a telescope with or without the solar viewing glasses as the intensity of the sun's rays can damage your eyes," she added.
Parents and caregivers should make sure that solar viewing glasses worn by children are snug. They may want to use clips or ties to make sure that the glasses do not fall off during use. Alternatives for very young children include making a pinhole projector or using a kitchen colander to view the shadow(s) created by the eclipse.
Please call the Gravette Public Library at 479-787-6955 or visit www.gravettelibrary.org for more information.
The Gravette Public Library is located at 118 Main Street S.E.