It's a (Partial) Total Eclipse of the Heart: Alhambra Library Holds Viewing Event for Residents

The Alhambra Library distributed eclipse viewing glasses April 8 for residents to catch a glimpse of a rare total eclipse crossing a swath of North America – though Californians were only able to see a partial eclipse.

The moon began covering the sun at 10:06 a.m., with the eclipse peaking at 11:12 a.m. according to the Griffith Observatory. It was over at 12:22 p.m.

The library received a grant from the Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries (SEAL) program, administered by the Space Science Institute, to give away sun-viewing glasses and hold educational programs related to the annular eclipse Saturday, October 14, 2023, and the total eclipse last month.

An annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon does not completely cover the sun, leaving a bright ring visible at the outer edge.

The library said about 450 people stopped by on the day of the eclipse to grab glasses. They also had snacks and kids activities like chalk, crafts, coloring pages, and lawn games.

Previous events hosted with the SEAL grant included a portable planetarium event and a night-time telescope viewing.

The last total eclipse that crossed the U.S. was in August 2017, and it was the first total solar eclipse visible in the U.S. in 38 years. The U.S. won't see another total eclipse until August 2044, but the next partial eclipse visible in the Los Angeles area will be on Jan. 14, 2029.