Where you can watch solar eclipse in Milwaukee today, how to get free glasses
The 2024 Great American solar eclipse is coming Monday as the moon blocks the sun's light from the southwest to northeast corners of the country.
Milwaukee will experience a partial solar eclipse as the moon will cover just under 90% of the sun's light on Monday. While Milwaukee is not in the path of totality (where the sun is fully covered), it still makes for a unique viewing experience here at home.
Here's what you need to know:
Where to see the solar eclipse in Milwaukee
The solar eclipse will reach its peak just after 2 p.m. in the Milwaukee area on April 8, 2024. Anyone can step outside and see it, but solar protective glasses are highly recommended to not cause eye damage.
Can you view the solar eclipse in Milwaukee with the weather?
The weather, unfortunately, might not be great for seeing the eclipse in Milwaukee on Monday.
As of Sunday, meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Sullivan said that it would likely be cloudy in some parts of the state. But the best viewing would likely be in the southeastern part of Wisconsin — including Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, Lake Geneva and Janesville.
There is hope for seeing some breaks in the clouds Monday afternoon in far southern WI, but farther south is looking better. We're keeping an eye on cloud forecast trends during the eclipse. Find your local forecast here (click on map): https://t.co/j1jnX4C0Pr #wiwx https://t.co/rSl3QhDlNJ
— NWS Milwaukee (@NWSMilwaukee) April 5, 2024
If the weather is less ideal, you can stream the solar eclipse as it crosses the country here:
For those staying in town, Milwaukee-area museums, parks, and planetariums are hosting viewing events, all with sun-protective glasses available for free or at a cheap price.
Here are some events listed in alphabetical order:
American Science & Surplus
The American Science and Surplus store, 6921 W. Oklahoma Ave., is hosting an eclipse watch party in its parking lot with a live broadcast from WSME 91.7 FM from noon to 3 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public and will include hands-on activities for kids, trivia, prizes and food available for purchase from a food truck.
DJ Faux Eyes will play accompanying music to the eclipse from 12:30 to 3 p.m. The stream will be available on the radio and on WMSE's website and app.
Solar glasses will be available for purchase at the event while supplies last, and are currently available to purchase from the store.
Seating will not by available. Attendees may bring their own seating if required.
Visit its Facebook event for more information.
Milwaukee Public Museum
The Milwaukee Public Museum, 800 W. Wells St., will host a eclipse watch party outside of the museum by the green clock on wells street from 12:30 to 3 p.m.
It will have telescopes with special filters for safe viewing and eclipse glasses for $2 each.
It will also air NASA's live webcast of the total solar eclipse in the museum's garden gallery.
For more information visit www.mpm.edu/total-eclipse-of-the-heart.
Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
The Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, 1111 E. Brown Deer Road, is hosting a solar eclipse viewing party from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
The event will take place in the nature center's veranda and will have a telescope with a solar filter and glasses for safe viewing.
Hosts will be available to assist viewers and answer questions. They also will project the sun through a solar scope onto a poster board for another viewing opportunity.
Admission to the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center costs $10 for adults, $7 for children ages 3 to 17, and free for children under 2-years-old. The event is free for members of the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center.
For more information visit www.schlitzaudubon.org/event/solar-eclipse-viewing.
UWM Manfred Olson Planetarium
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's planetarium is hosting a solar eclipse viewing party on Spaights Plaza, 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd., from 1 to 3 p.m. for students, staff and members of the public.
It will provide telescopes with filters and glasses for safe viewing, along with free pizza, cookies and beverages, photo station, crafts, and more.
Event activities will also be available in the UWM Union Ballroom, where NASA's live webcast of the total solar eclipse will air.
For more information visit uwm.edu/planetarium/public-events and use this map for navigation between Spaights Plaza and the Union Ballroom.
Wehr Nature Center
The Wehr Nature Center, 9701 W. College Ave., is hosting an eclipse watch party from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
It will have a telescope with a solar filter and viewing glasses available for $1 per pair.
The event is free, but a $5 parking fee applies to non-members. Reservations are not required.
For more information visit friendsofwehr.org/events/eclipse-day.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Where to get free glasses to watch the solar eclipse in Milwaukee