MAINE SCIENTISTS EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS UNIQUE ASTRONOMICAL PHENOMENON
BY JOSH DEAKIN
On April 8, 2024, a solar eclipse will make its way across North America. Lucky for Mainers, the path of totality for this particular eclipse includes most of Aroostook County, with Houlton being the last town in the continental United States to experience this astronomical phenomenon.
A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, blocking the view of the Sun. In the path of totality, the sky will dim as if it’s twilight with only a glowing halo or corona of the Sun visible from behind the Moon. There is a huge difference from 99% to totality, experts say, and while all of Maine will experience the eclipse, you need to be in the umbral shadow (path of totality) to see the corona and experience it fully.
This eclipse is scheduled to go right over the state of Maine, beginning at 3:28 p.m. Solar eclipses happen two to four times per year, according to NASA, but the area on the ground covered by totality is only about 50 miles wide. In any given location on Earth, a total eclipse happens only once every hundred years or so.
Houlton will be directly in the path of totality beginning at 3:32 p.m., with 3 minutes and 18 seconds of darkness during the eclipse.
Eclipses are a unique experience that offer an excellent time for scientific discoveries. Astronomers across the path of the eclipse are gearing up for what is sure to be an exciting event.
“Eclipses are one of nature’s most incredible spectacles and give us a chance to study the corona in a way only possible during a total solar eclipse. Some major discoveries that have been made during total solar eclipses include the discovery of helium in 1868 and verification of Einstein’s theory of relativity of 1919,” said Shawn Laatsch, director of the Versant Power Astronomy Center at the University of Maine in Orono.
“Eclipses give scientists the opportunity to study the sun under natural circumstances,” said Mary Jo Badger, a retired teacher who now volunteers at the Francis Malcolm Science Center located in Easton. “Scientists are able to measure the temperature of the sun’s corona, which can be seen during a total eclipse. Who knows what other theories or discoveries can be made about the sun, moon, earth, or the universe.”
TOTAL ECLIPSE PARTIAL ECLIPSE
The corona is the outermost part of the Sun’s atmosphere. Hidden by the bright surface of the Sun or photosphere, total eclipses are the only way we can observe the corona from Earth.
“Modern science looks at total eclipses to better understand how the Sun works,” Laatsch said. Solar winds, created by the outward expansion of plasma from the Sun's corona, have numerous effects on Earth. Solar winds can create an aurora or Northern Lights, as well as interfere with satellites, mobile phone communications, and power grids, Laatsch said.
CARIBOU LIMESTONE
PRESQUE ISLE
HOULTON
ISLAND FALLS
LINCOLN
“It is also important for astronauts on board the International Space Station and ones who will travel to the Moon and beyond,” Laatsch said. “The Sun is our nearest star and the source of all space weather which affects our planet.”
The Versant Power Astronomy Center team will be traveling to Jackman, Maine to be on the centerline of totality. This is the line in the direct center of the eclipse, and will have the longest duration of totality.
“I’m the Northeast regional coordinator for the CATE2024 (Continental American Telescopic Eclipse) project, which will be taking polarity measurements of the corona,” Laatsch said. “The project will be setting up 35 stations from Texas to Maine to measure and image the corona during the eclipse. My four grad students will be assisting with this project. We will be making public observations on April 8, and doing stargazing the night of April 7, both from the Jackman Town Offices. These are free events and we invite anyone who would like to join us.”
The total solar eclipse will visit Maine on April 8 starting at 3:28 p.m. and exiting at 3:35 p.m. Many people will be heading north to experience the eclipse since some of the best views will be in Houlton. Located in the center of the eclipse’s path, Houlton is also the last place you can see it in our state.
Not only will this be a great experience for everyone lucky enough to see it, the eclipse will also give the area an economic boost.
Kim Smith of the Presque Isle Community Development Association explained that April is considered a “shoulder” month in the tourism industry, hitting after the snowmobiling season ends but
before the summer tourism season starts up. But this year, the eclipse will bring an economic boon to the area during an otherwise slow time of year.
Presque Isle, the largest city in Aroostook County and located 46 miles north of Houlton, is expecting a flood of eclipse travelers and a welcome boost to the local lodging, food, and fuel industries.
“Tourism indicates the average daily expenditure by a single visitor is over $500. If one multiplies this by the projected visitation of 5,000 to 20,000 visitors, one can see the obvious economic impact,” Smith said. “Assuming we have 10,000 visitors at $500 per day for only one day, this would mean an additional $5 million
to the local economy. And not all visitors will only be in the city for one day.”
Many area businesses are opening early, or moving already scheduled annual events to the eclipse dates. Some are even creating new events to showcase their services.
“Just one example of this type of unique planning here in the Presque Isle area is the Francis Malcolm Science Center and Planetarium (located in Easton). The center has been offering ‘train the trainer’ events to assist local educators with strategies and resources to educate their students on the eclipse and how to properly view it,” Smith said. “In addi-
tion, the center has nature trails and is planning an ‘eclipse extravaganza’ with face painting, dome tours, and a ‘Hike the Darkness’ activity where visitors can hike the trail, which will have educational stations along the path.”
Jane Torres of the Houlton Chamber of Commerce agrees that the timing of the eclipse is ideal, landing during mud season when there usually isn't a lot happening in the area.
“Hotels are full, Airbnb’s are booked, summer cottages in the lakes area (about 25 miles away) are booking out fast,” Torres said.
Local restaurants and stores will be well stocked and the local co-op and cafe are planning a $10,000 restock of local goods such as honey, maple syrup, oils, books featuring Maine authors, and items by local artists.
“Our local faith community has kicked into high gear with fundraising plans for dinners, parking areas, places to park an
RV, as well as having concerts and other forms of entertainment to engage our visitors,” Torres said. “Everyone seems to be doing something.”
Indeed, most of Aroostook County has events planned around the eclipse. And each town is working to promote the area in hopes that once people visit, they will return.
ALL
The Francis Malcolm Science Center will also be hosting a special Eclipse Extravaganza event on April 8 from 1-4 p.m. for anyone interested.
“We will be having activities focused on the eclipse, as well as showing the full dome program “Totality!” during the time before the eclipse,” Badger said. “As the eclipse begins, everyone present will be invited to watch as volunteer Jim Stepp explains each stage of the eclipse.”
“Totality!” is a planetarium program that incorporates the full dome. It was produced by the Houston Museum of Science with Rice University. It’s a unique experience that provides significant scientific background on eclipses, including how eclipses happen, how to safely view one, and more.
When viewing the eclipse, it’s important to do so in a safe manner.
“You should never look at the Sun without using a solar filter as it can damage your eyes,” Laatsch said. “Solar filter glasses are usually inexpensive and block out 99.9% of the light and heat making it safe for viewing. Sunglasses do not protect your eyes, they just reduce glare, so make sure to use a proper solar filter or ‘eclipse glasses,’” Laatsch said.
Certified eclipse glasses should be worn for the entirety of the eclipse. If you plan to take pictures or watch with binoculars or a telescope, special filters must be used.
“The safest way would be a pinhole viewer, which requires you to stand with your back to the Sun,” Badger said.
Four days of family fun events are planned for The County, and certified eclipse glasses are available in multiple locations.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VIEWING AREA GUIDE, AND MORE, GO TO VISITAROOSTOOK.COM
Wondering where to watch from? Aroostook County has designated multiple sites as eclipse viewing areas, or “Star Parks.” These designated viewing areas in Caribou, Presque Isle, Mars Hill, Island Falls, Limestone, and Houlton have been identified as great spots to view the eclipse and offer safe parking, trash receptacles, and restroom facilities.
These Star Parks offer good parking and feature a free shuttle bus circuit that will stop at major parking areas and transport to the viewing hubs in and around Houlton from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and resume at 4 p.m. after the total eclipse.
JOHN A MILLER ARENA: 94 RANDALL AVE, HOULTON
MONUMENT PARK: 54 MILITARY ST, HOULTON
HOULTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: 5 TERMINAL DR, HOULTON
HOULTON RIVERFRONT PARK: 49 NORTH ST, HOULTON
MAIN STREET: MAIN ST, HOULTON
AROOSTOOK CENTRE MALL: 830 MAIN ST
NORTHERN MAINE FAIRGROUNDS: 84 MECHANIC ST
RIVERSIDE PARK: 39 CHAPMAN RD
UNIV. OF MAINE AT PRESQUE ISLE: 181 MAIN ST
GENERAL AVIATION: 1000 AIRPORT DR
CARIBOU WELLNESS CENTER: 55 BENNETT DR
ISLAND FALLS COMMUNITY CENTER: 68 HOULTON RD
LORING ARCH HANGER: 93 ARIZONA AVE, LIMESTONE
Barring unforeseen circumstances, this will be my sixth total eclipse of the sun.
My first was in Deer Isle, Maine in the summer of my sixth year: July 20, 1963. It’s the eclipse Stephen King depicts in “Dolores Claiborne.” There were several families with lots of kids around. My mother made us all paper-bag helmets with eye slots covered by exposed X-ray film she’d procured from Blue Hill hospital. We looked like little spacemen. Inside, the grownups had made pinhole cameras with the living room shades. But everyone came outside when it got dark.
In 1972, my parents split up, and my grandparents took my mother, my four sisters and me to Prince Edward Island on a vacation aligned with the July 10 eclipse. This is allegedly the eclipse in Carly Simon’s song “You’re So Vain.” But the character could also have taken a Lear Jet to Nova Scotia to see the eclipse
of March 7, 1970. (I was stuck in Maine for that one, just outside the path of totality.)
On Prince Edward Island, my mother befriended a group of graduate students from Princeton whose backpacks bulged with telescopes and scientific equipment. Since I was into astronomy, she introduced me to them, and she invited them to come camp at her place in Maine on their way back to New Jersey.
These guys were eclipse chasers. They were already full of plans to travel to the big one in Africa the following summer. I’ll never know quite how I came to be included in those plans, but my third total eclipse was at sea, off the coast of Senegal.
I was not yet 16, hanging out with grad students, overseas for the first time. In Malaga, Spain, we boarded a French ferry along with other astronomy groups from other colleges for a chartered cruise that
stopped in the Madeira Islands and the Canaries on the way to the eclipse, and Casablanca afterward.
Eclipses are longest near the equator, with the Earth near aphelion (farthest from the sun) and the moon near perigee (closest to the earth). On June 30, 1973, all those conditions applied. It was clear and calm, and you could hear the low hum of the boat’s stabilizers. The sky to the east was red with sand from the Sahara. Telescopes and cameras filled the decks. Totality lasted over seven minutes.
day got much colder when the sun went away. The return bus was filled with boisterous Americans bringing home memories and Canadian beer.
I’LL NEVER KNOW QUITE HOW I CAME TO BE INCLUDED ... BUT MY THIRD TOTAL ECLIPSE WAS AT SEA, OFF THE COAST OF SENEGAL.
On February 26, 1979, I was in college in Beloit, Wisconsin. The Greyhound from Chicago stopped in Beloit and ran all the way to Winnipeg. Why not ride a bus up to the Canadian prairies in the middle of winter? I met a friend who came by train from Montreal. We watched the eclipse in a park, bundled to the ears. A cold, bright
Nearly 40 years passed before the next one, August 21, 2017, in Missouri. I did see an annular eclipse (when the moon is not large enough to cover the sun’s disk) on January 4, 1992. That one was memorable because it happened at sunset on the California coast, and my young son and daughter watched it with me.
So that’s five total, plus an annular and a couple of near-misses. They’ve all been spectacular. But if you’ve never seen one (and even if you have), it’s worth your time to get into the path of totality on April 8. There’s nothing like standing in the shadow of the moon to make you visually aware of your place in space, on a small world orbiting a star.
WHEN THE SOLAR ECLIPSE happens on April 8, millions of eyes will be watching, wanting to see this phenomenon as the moon comes between the sun and the Earth, blocking the sun.
“While this is very exciting, it can also be dangerous for your eyes if you don’t take proper precautions,” warns Francinia McCartney, MD, an ophthalmologist at Northern Light Eye Care in Presque Isle. “Prolonged light exposure causes changes in the retina, called solar retinopathy.”
While people may have a false sense of security looking at an eclipse, because it isn’t that bright, the opposite is actually true, and it is more dangerous than looking at the sun on a normal day. “When there is limited light, the iris expands the size of the pupil to allow more light into the eye to see. The damage occurs because of the duration of the time the person looks at the eclipse, which allows a potentially dangerous amount of UV light into the eye,” Dr. McCartney explains.
So, how can you safely watch the eclipse?
FRANCINIA MCCARTNEY, MD
According to Ann Chiu, MD, another Eye Care ophthalmologist, first and foremost, you must wear proper eye protection. This doesn’t mean sunglasses, but rather ‘eclipse glasses’ or a handheld solar viewer that meets the worldwide standard called ISO 123122. If you normally wear glasses, keep them on, and put your eclipse glasses over them or hold your handheld viewer in front of them. Be sure to put them on before looking at the sun and keep them on.
ANN CHIU, MD“The ONLY time it is okay to remove them is when the moon completely covers the sun if you are inside the path of totality, which central and southern Aroostook County will be. But this only amounts to about three minutes – a little longer in the Houlton area and a little less north of Presque Isle,” says Dr. Chiu. “As soon as even a sliver of sun begins to reappear, you must replace your eye protection.”
And if you want to view the eclipse more closely or capture the moment on video or photos?
If you are using a camera, telescope, binoculars, or other device to view the eclipse, you need a special filter, even when using eclipse glasses or handheld solar filter at the same time. The intense solar light coming through these devices can damage the solar viewers and your eyes. Solar filters must be attached to the front of the device you are using.
If someone does look at the eclipse without the proper protection, Dr. McCartney warns that there is a great likelihood of damage to their eyes. “While a person may recover over the course of three to six months, this recovery may be incomplete, leaving a patient with permanent visual acuity deficits and central vision loss,” she says. “Patients can have symptoms within a few hours of exposure, including blurry vision, a blind spot in your central vision in one or both eyes, increased sensitivity to light, distorted vision, or changes in the way you see color.”
There is no treatment for solar retinopathy, so prevention is paramount. However, you should see an ophthalmologist if you experience difficulties with your vision, so they can determine the extent of any damage.
“Let this eclipse be memorable because of the unique experience, not because of a lasting impact on your vision,” warns Dr. Chiu. “Enjoy the moment but do it safely.”
Asolar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blotting out the Sun either totally or partially. As you may imagine, this celestial phenomenon has whipped up quite a bit of lore over the many thousands of years that humans have been watching it happen.
On April 8, 2024, Maine will be in the direct path of a total solar eclipse that is expected to attract massive crowds to northern Maine, where folks will get the best views of the rare event that can last from 10 seconds to 7.5 minutes, according to NASA.
For a little bit of fun, we gathered a few of the most colorful myths and superstitions from around the world about what causes a solar eclipse and what can happen if you watch one.
The word eclipse derives from Latin and means to disappear or abandon. As such, the Greeks believed that when an eclipse happened, it indicated that the gods were angry and turning their shoulders on humanity.
According to Norse mythology, the Sun moves across the sky daily because a wolf called Sköll is chasing it. As Sköll chases the Sun, its brother wolf, Hati, chases the Moon across the night sky. The two
wolves occasionally chase the Sun and Moon across each other’s paths in a never-ending, epic battle.
The Batammaliba from the Togo and Benin African countries generally agree with the Greeks and the Norse that some battles must be underway since what else could cause the mighty Sun to go dark? As such, the Batammaliba traditionally use this phenomenon to heal community rifts and help inspire the Sun and Moon to do the same.
There are a few fun, albeit easily debunked, superstitions about solar eclipses that persist today. For example, some believe you shouldn't eat food prepared during a solar eclipse because it will poison you thanks to ultra-strong UV rays (they are not more potent than regular UV rays, by the way). Or that if a solar eclipse falls on your birthday (or precisely six months before or after), it is a bad omen that foretells terrible luck.
If you're one of the lucky folks who get to see the solar eclipse in April, take safety precautions by watching the eclipse with solar eclipse-safe glasses. And definitely don't get caught between warring gods.
There are hundreds of events all over Aroostook County to enjoy in this week leading up to the main event: The Maine Eclipse on Monday, April 8. From parties and tours to public forums and potluck dinners, there’s something for everyone. Here is just a small sample of the out-of-this-world fun to be had this week! Go to maineeclipse.com/events and visitaroostook.com for the most up-to-date lists of events and fun.
FOR A FULL LIST OF EVENTS, VISIT MAINEECLIPSE.COM/EVENTS
MAINE ECLIPSE 2024 EXTRAVAGANZA: APRIL 5-8 IN HOULTON FEATURING ENTERTAINMENT, EDUCATION, MARKETS AND MORE
ASTRONOMER PARTY: FROM 5-7 PM AT TWIN PONDS NATURE AND DISCOVERY CENTER IN HODGDON. ENJOY HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES AND MORE. FREE ADMISSION!
CELESTIAL SCIENCE AND ECLIPSE PRESENTATIONS: 6 PM AT HOULTON’S MONUMENT LODGE #96 ON THE 3RD FLOOR OF THE HISTORIC TEMPLE BUILDING. ADDITIONAL PRESENTATIONS APRIL 6-8. FREE TO THE PUBLIC!
LIVE MUSIC: NIGHTLY FROM APRIL 5-8 STARTING AT 6 PM AT THE DOWNUNDER SPORTS PUB ON NORTH STREET IN HOULTON
FOR A FULL LIST OF EVENTS, VISIT MAINEECLIPSE.COM/EVENTS
BLACKFLY BREWFEST 2024 — ECLIPSE EDITION: PURCHASE TICKETS EARLY FOR THIS TASTING EVENT IN HOULTON
MAPLE SUGARHOUSE TOURS: VISIT SPRING BREAK MAPLE & HONEY FARM IN SMYRNA
CRAFT FAIRS: AT THE ASHLAND RECREATIONAL DEPARTMENT AND IN HOULTON AT THE GENTLE MEMORIAL BUILDING
BIG NAZO STREET PERFORMANCE GROUP: STREET PERFORMERS WILL MINGLE WITH CROWDS AND PLAY MUSIC ALL DAY IN HOULTON METAPHYSICAL FAIR: EXPLORE A MEDLEY OF ALTERNATIVE HEALING PRACTITIONERS, RESOURCES AND MORE IN HOULTON
SHIN PONDEROSA DARK SIDE OF THE MOON FESTIVAL: EVENTS, FOOD, & FUN HAPPENING APRIL 5-8 IN MT. CHASE
HOWL AT THE MOON: DUELING PIANOS SHOW: A NIGHT OF MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT AT THE HOULTON ELKS LODGE #835
...CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT PRESQUE ISLE will mark the upcoming total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, with a “Solar-bration”. From 2-4:30 p.m. in the parking areas between Gentile Hall and Folsom-Pullen Hall, all are invited to welcome and witness the total solar eclipse, complete with food, music, activities, and fun. Festivities will include an indoor viewing option in the Gauvin Family Center for Cultural Arts, located in Wieden Hall, for those who want to keep up with the NASA livestream coverage or need a back-up plan in the event of inclement weather.
As one of Presque Isle’s 5 “Star Parks,” UMPI will be a major gathering site for viewing the eclipse. Star Parks promise good parking, restrooms, and trash receptacles, and steer vehicles away from the back roads, where mud, ice, and trespassing can be unexpected hurdles to enjoying the show.
“UMPI is honored to be able to serve as one of our city’s Star Parks and to welcome the community and visitors from afar to our campus for a celestial event we’ll remember the rest of our lives,” UMPI President Ray Rice said. “This is just one of the ways that we’re embracing the day and marking what may be a once-in-a-lifetime event for some.”
In addition to the Solar-bration, on the morning of the
eclipse at 10 a.m., UMPI plans to unveil its 23-foot-tall, three-dimensional sun model as the newest addition to its Maine Solar System Model, which is the largest scale model of the solar system in the western hemisphere. Designed as an approximate 1/8th subsection of the sun, based on the model’s scale, this 3-D sun will be located in front of Preble Hall on the UMPI campus. All are invited to attend this special event.
Visitors are welcome to view the new 3-D sun, as well as the Now and Then art installation located nearby, when they attend the afternoon’s festivities. The outdoor sculpture in front of South Hall and two more located on Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians land in Houlton are part of an art installation series that stretches from Texas to Maine along the 2024 solar eclipse’s “path of totality.” As artist and series creator Henry Dean noted, these sculptures stand as cosmic markers, “proclaiming the cycle of the seasons, honoring place, witnessing the rising and setting of the Sun, and the circling of the Moon.” For more details about this art installation series, check out @nowandtheneclipse24 on social media.
Most of the afternoon’s action, however, will take place in the central area surrounded by Gentile, Folsom-Pullen, and Wieden halls. Parking will be available in the Gentile
and North parking lots, and parking attendants will be on hand to direct traffic. Student clubs like SOSW and local nonprofit organizations like the Central Aroostook Association will have tables set up for visitors to enjoy concessions, games, and other activities, such as corn hole and making UV bead bracelets. Aroostook Sky, featuring UMPI Biology faculty member Dr. Larry Feinstein, will provide music. If the weather allows for it, all are encouraged to take part in a transitory community art project: a collaborative giant chalk drawing of the sun where visitors can make a wish, set an intention, or leave kind words.
The eclipse is expected to begin around 2 p.m. and last for about 2.5 hours. In recognition of this singular celestial event, as well as the challenging logistics people may experience as they prepare for viewing, live courses at UMPI will be canceled on April 8, from 2-5 p.m. The total eclipse itself is estimated to get underway around 3:20 p.m. and bring 3 minutes of total darkness. UMPI crews will turn off the parking lot lights during totality so light pollution doesn’t impact people’s viewing experience.
All are encouraged to join in UMPI’s Solar-bration event and celebrate a sight that won’t be seen again in the U.S. for many years to come. For more information about UMPI’s Solar-bration, email umpi@maine.edu.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14...
FOR A FULL LIST OF EVENTS, VISIT MAINEECLIPSE.COM/EVENTS
SOLAR SYSTEM BUS TOUR AND PLANETARIUM
VISIT: VISIT THE PLANETARIUM AT THE FRANCIS
MALCOLM SCIENCE CENTER
COMEDIAN TIM SAMPLE: 5 PM AT THE HOULTON
COMMUNITY ART CENTER
NASA PRESENTATION: NASA SUBJECT MATTER
EXPERT ERIC SMITH SPEAKS LIVE AT THE TEMPLE
THEATRE IN HOULTON
SOLAR SPRINT 3K ROAD RACE: BEGINS AT THE CLA GREEN CENTER AT 388 MILITARY STREET IN HOULTON AND ENDS AT RIVERFRONT PARK
INTERACTIVE REPTILE SESSIONS: ALL WEEKEND IN HOULTON AT SERPENT’S EDGE
THE MAINE EXPERIENCE DINNER: ENJOY A MAINE LOBSTER ROLL AND MORE AT THE CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD IN HOULTON
BIG BANG FIREWORKS: 8 PM IN HOULTON
THE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE WILL REACH MAINE BEGINNING AT 3:28 P.M. AND EXIT AT 3:35 P.M. NOTE: VIEWING REQUIRES ECLIPSE GLASSES, AVAILBLE AT A WIDE VARIETY OF LOCATIONS
THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND MANY OF THE STAR PARKS IN AROOSTOOK COUNTY (SEE PAGE 6)
ECLIPSE EXTRAVAGANZA: FROM 1-4 PM AT THE FRANCES MALCOLM SCIENCE CENTER
MINDFUL MOVEMENT FOR HEALTHY LIVING: TAI CHI, YOGA, AND MORE AT UU HOULTON ECLIPSE FAIR AT MONUMENT PARK AMPITHEATER
LORING AIR FORCE BASE ARCH HANGAR: FOOD TRUCKS, MUSIC, MUSEUM, AND MORE FROM 11 AM TO 5 PM IN LIMESTONE
EXPERIENCE TOTALITY: A DAY OF EVENTS AT VETERAN’S MEMORIAL PARK IN MILLINOCKET
CONCERT: FEATURING MARIONETTE AT THE FORUM IN PRESQUE ISLE FROM 6-8 PM
FOR MORE EVENTS, GO TO VISITAROOSTOOK.COM AND MAINEECLIPSE.COM/EVENTS
THE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE on April 8, 2024, can be viewed from several Aroostook County towns — including Caribou. There will be a limited number of tours available at the National Weather Service in Caribou on the weekend. For more details on tour offerings, as well as weather information for the eclipse, please visit the National Weather Service Caribou (weather.gov/ car/2024TotalSolarEclipse).
The Caribou Municipal Airport will be open to aviation activities only and all pilots are welcome to chase the moon to the ‘Bou. The official Star Park will be at the Caribou Wellness and Recreation Center at 55 Bennett Drive, open from 12 noon to 6 p.m. with concessions, activities, and eclipse swag. If your plan is to watch the eclipse elsewhere, make a visit to Caribou part of your weekend.
Caribou is known as the epicenter of the northern Maine outdoor recreation economy with two recently remodeled hotels, short-term rentals, and a bed-andbreakfast run by ‘the muffin queen’! Indoor adventures include two types of bowling, a movie theater, and a restaurant with a golf simulator. When it’s time to eat, Caribou offers the area’s best restaurant choices.
The Nylander Museum of Natural History will be open April 8 from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. in addition to the regular hours of Saturdays and Sundays 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Here you can explore the personal artifacts of Olof Nylander, which include local and rare specimens of his collection from the fields of geology, archaeology, paleontology, and taxidermy.
Open every Saturday from 8 a.m.–1 p.m., the Caribou Historical Center & Whittier Museum welcomes visitors to step back to the time of the one-room schoolhouse onsite and other bespoke exhibits which highlight early life in Caribou from the Mi’kmaq exhibition to a Military display.
If you can’t make it on April 8, the excitement of Caribou is something you can enjoy any time of the year!
Come to Caribou for the Spring Runoff Kayak and Canoe Race on the Aroostook River May 11 and the CityWide Yard Sale May 17–19. Summer fun is happening with Thursdays on Sweden Street (TOSS) featuring live music, food vendors, and a beverage garden on June 6 and June 20, July 11 and July 25, and August 8. TOSS expands into the 4-day “Caribou Cares about Kids” celebration
July 25–28, with shows, activities, food trucks, parade, and fireworks. In Autumn, come leaf peeping, apple or pumpkin picking, corn maze trekking, or watch the annual potato harvest, then shop the longest running Craft Fair in Northern Maine, celebrating its 50th year in 2024, which will take place October 18-19. New for 2024: The County Oktoberfest, sponsored by the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce, will be held in Caribou on Sept. 14 at the Caribou Airport! Christmas in Caribou is a magical time and kicks off on Small Business Saturday Nov. 30 with live reindeer, visit from Santa, local author shop at the Caribou Public Library, and our eclectic array of local businesses offer merchandise to make your holidays extra special. Additionally, Spud Speedway in Caribou has multiple events during the year.
For more information on planning your trip to Caribou, please visit our website at cariboumaine.org/visit.
THE HOULTON DOWNTOWN Alliance/Town of Houlton invites visitors and locals to enjoy the Total Solar Eclipse in Historic Downtown Houlton.
Downtown Houlton is filled with beautiful buildings, many of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are unique shops and multiple food & beverage options in addition to Cary Library, Aroostook Historical & Art Museum, and Riverfront Park.
Eclipse Day, April 8, 2024, and the entire weekend leading up to it will be an exceptional time to visit Houlton’s Downtown. The Eclipse Committee and local businesses and organizations have lots of fun planned…
BIOBUS : The BioBus is an airstream trailer equipped with magnifying glasses and other science materials, as well as space for science presentations. It’s visiting Houlton courtesy of the Simons Foundation. The BioBus will be located downtown all weekend. Additional information about the mission and programming is available at biobus. org. The weekend scheduled for BioBus is as follows:
• Saturday, April 6, 9 a.m-1 p.m. on Broadway — Coordinated activities with Cary Library.
• Sunday, April 7, 12-4 p.m. in Market Square — Coordinated activities with NASA.
• Monday, April 8, 12-4 p.m. in Market Square — Coordinated activities with NASA & NOAA.
GIANT ECLIPSE GLASSES: Located in the downtown, these glasses are safe for viewing the sun using the same material as are in your personal eclipse glasses. It is a beautiful creation with artwork designed by local graphic artist Nina Lipscombe. This project was made possible by the Simons Foundation, as part of it’s In the Path of Totality initiative. Thanks to a partnership with Main Street America, Houlton Downtown Alliance/Town of Houlton received a $10,000 grant to organize science engagement activities and events for residents for the April 8 total solar eclipse. For more information, visit inthepathoftotality. org/activations/on-main-street. Following the eclipse, they will be permanently installed in town.
BIG BANG FIREWORKS SHOW: We’re celebrating early with an awesome fireworks show in the downtown on Sunday, April 7 at 8 p.m. Stop by Market Square to enjoy the spectacle. Sponsored by WHOU 100.1FM.
NASA: NASA will be in downtown Houlton all weekend. Presentations by their Subject Matter Expert will be available Sunday and Monday inside Temple Theater. The NASA broadcast, which is spanning the Path of Totality, will be aired inside Temple Theater on Monday afternoon from 1-4 p.m. NASA representatives will be in the downtown to share information and will join the BioBus for some activities.
SOLAR ECLIPSE BALLOON PROJECT: A special weather balloon will be raised above the clouds in New Brunswick equipped with cameras to capture images of the eclipse including the shadows cast on the earth by the moon. The event is being streamed at Temple Theater beginning at 2:15 p.m. This is a show you’ll want to see! Learn more about the project at eclipseplus.ca.
THE THIRSTY DAWG opened May, 2010. In 2010 there were approximately 35 craft breweries in Maine and 1,759 in the U.S. As of 2023, that number had grown to 165+ in Maine and 9,553 nationwide.
I wanted to introduce craft brewing to Aroostook County as most retailers at the time were not embracing these new options from the beverage industry. I wanted to introduce imported beer and offer a more eclectic choice of wine as well. The biggest obstacle to making that happen was most of the distributors offering what I was looking for were located in Bangor and points south. Thus I started doing some networking, arranged to meet these distributors in Bangor on their delivery days and slowly started to build my inventory.
As my inventory became more diverse, my customer base became more diverse
COURTESY OF KENT GOOD, THE THIRSTY DAWG
as well. People were traveling from a 50 to 100 mile radius to patronize my store, and that trend has continued to this day. While I enthusiastically stock and promote Maine breweries, I also stock traditional domestic choices, several imports, hard cider, seltzer, ready-to-drink cocktails, mead, wine and craft beer from across the U.S.
In 2014, I pitched the idea of hosting a brewfest in Houlton to The Chamber of Commerce and the BlackFly Brewfest was born. It became Aroostook County's premiere beer festival and for several years brewers from across Maine and beyond have made the trip to Houlton to showcase their products.
In 2021, I had the idea of collaborating with a brewery and creating a commemorative beer unique to Houlton and
The Thirsty Dawg. First Mile Brewing in Fort Kent jumped at the idea and Shiretown Pale Ale was released on Midnight Madness. It was a huge success and prompted us to follow up last year with Boy And The Boot Session Ale, which was also enthusiastically received. Our third creation, Shire town Black Out New England Pale Ale is on cue to be released Eclipse Weekend at The Thirsty Dawg and will be served by First Mile Brewing at BlackFly Brewfest as well. We also have a surprise release to be announced at later date which will be available this summer on the day of Midnight Madness. I have met so many people and established so many contacts by
VISIT US SOON AT THE THIRSTY DAWG! SEE YOU AT BLACKFLY BREWFEST APRIL 6!
being a part of this industry. It has been a rewarding fun ride and I can't wait to see what comes next. This business is fast paced and constantly evolving into new and different endeavors.
THE TOTAL ECLIPSE IN HOULTON is a wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime event. Please read the following to be sure you have a safe experience.
There is only one safe way to look directly at the sun, whether during an eclipse or not: through special-purpose solar filters. These solar filters are used in “eclipse glasses” or in hand-held solar viewers. They must meet an extremely specific worldwide standard known as ISO 12312-2.
Keep in mind that ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, or homemade filters are not safe for looking at the sun.
• Carefully look at your solar filter or eclipse glasses before using them. If you see any scratches or damage, do not use them.
• Always read and follow all directions that come with the solar filter or eclipse glasses. Help children to be sure they use hand held solar viewers and eclipse glasses correctly.
• Before looking up at the bright sun, stand still and cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses or solar viewer. After glancing at the sun, turn away and remove your filter — do not remove it while looking at the sun.
• The only time that you can look at the sun without a solar viewer is during a total eclipse. When the moon completely covers the sun's bright face and it suddenly gets dark, you can remove your solar filter to watch
this unique experience. Then, as soon as the bright sun begins to reappear very slightly, immediately use your solar viewer again to watch the remaining partial phase of the eclipse.
• Never look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars or other similar devices. This is important even if you are wearing eclipse glasses or holding a solar viewer at the same time. The intense solar rays coming through these devices will damage the solar filter and your eyes.
• Talk with an expert astronomer if you want to use a special solar filter with a camera, a telescope, binoculars or any other optical device.
Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology
Heading to The County for the total solar eclipse on April 8? There’s even more astronomical fun to discover all along Route 1. For nearly 100 miles, the largest scale model of the solar system in the western hemisphere — and the second largest in the world — stretches from Topsfield to Presque Isle.
The model celebrated its 20th anniversary last year and continues to grow, with a three-dimensional Sun model in the works and other dwarf planets to be located in Lille and Madawaska.
Built entirely by volunteers, the model was created at a scale of one mile equaling one astronomical unit. One AU is the distance from the Earth to the Sun, or 93,000,000 miles — meaning a person traveling at seven miles an hour alongside the model would be moving at the speed of light.
The Sun is located at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, while former planet Pluto is located in Houlton and dwarf planet Eris is in Topsfield. As you plan your Eclipse visit, don’t miss this incredible model that’s part scavenger hunt and part science education.
Bus tours of the solar system model will also be available. For more information, go to visitaroostook.com.
