In a 2013 solar eclipse, the moon passes in front of the sun. (NASA/SDO)
All members of the family are invited to attend when an extremely rare celestial event called the Great American Solar Eclipse takes place on Aug. 21.
Members of the Desert Park Exhibition Society (DPES) have organized a viewing party for the once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse at the Osoyoos horse racing facility.
“We’ve decided to call the event Science of the Sun and it’s being promoted as a family event where parents and children will gather to watch a historic event,” said DPES president Bruce Fuller. “We think it will be a fun family event.”
The event will kick off with a full brunch before the rare celestial event where the Moon, the Sun and planet Earth will align in an almost perfectly straight line, while the Moon casts its shadow on Earth.
For those looking into the midday sun at noon – wearing special protective glasses that will be provided – it will look as though the Moon has covered 90 per cent of the Sun, said Fuller.
Fuller and the DPES board are in the process of trying to line up some educational speakers to share their expertise on the importance of events like the Great American Solar Eclipse, said Fuller.
Osoyoos is considered one of the best places in Canada to view events like a solar eclipse because of its elevation and traditionally clear summer skies, said Fuller.
In the South Okanagan, the Great American Solar Eclipse will begin just after 9 a.m. and will continue until 15 minutes before noon. The maximum eclipse, where 90 per cent of the sun will be blocked, is set to take place at 10:25 a.m.
For the price of admission – which will be $10 for adults, $7.50 for students and youth ages 13-18 and free for children ages 12 and under – participants will receive brunch, the free pair of viewing glasses and entertainment that will include music, face painting and games for children.
Fuller said the DPES board is constantly coming up with new ideas to use the facility in an attempt to generate good publicity.
“We’re trying to generate good publicity and hopefully generate a few dollars at the same time that will go towards our main goal, which is to get horse racing back to Osoyoos,” he said.
The facility hosted its second annual Medieval Faire over the May long weekend with strong results and board members will continue to come up with ideas to use the horse training facility, he said.
“The place just sits empty most of the time … and we would like that to change,” he said.
For more information about the Science of the Sun event and to purchase tickets, visit www.osoyoosdesertpark.com.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
