*Editor's note: The article has been updated to include Liberty County School System's announcement concerning the solar eclipse.
Unless you’ve been living in a hole somewhere without access to the Internet, television, radio or carrier pigeon, you know there’s a solar eclipse on the way.
The Aug. 21 eclipse, the first of its kind in the U.S. since 1918 and thus billed as a “once in 100 years” event, will be most visible in our area in places such as Charleston, South Carolina, where motel rooms are reported to be filling up fast since Charleston is in the path where the eclipse will be total.
We’re not quite so fortunate.
But the Monday, Aug. 21 eclipse should still be plenty noticeable here, if clouds don’t block the show.
In fact, with a better than 95 percent “eclipse magnitude,” the eclipse should be hard to miss.
As for when it begin, that depends on where you are.
A partial eclipse will begin seconds after 1:14 p.m. on Aug. 21 in Hinesville, according to NASA. The maximum eclipse in Hinesville begins around 2:45 p.m. and the partial eclipse ends around 4:09 p.m.
The event promises to be such a show that both Effingham County Schools and, reportedly, Long County Schools have already decided to cancel classes for the day.
Liberty County Schools will be closed for students, who will not have to make up the missed day. All LCSS staff will report to work.
You can go learn more about the eclipse and get safe tips on viewing the heavenly show at the Midway-Riceboro Library at 4 p.m. Aug. 15 and the Hinesville Library at4 p.m. Aug. 16.
So far, there have been few eclipse-themed events announced in Liberty or Long County or on Fort Stewart, though the Liberty County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau’s weekly “Live in Liberty” Facebook show will be at 3 p.m. will take place during the eclipse.
Here’s one we do know: In Bryan County, Fort McAllister State Park will host a Super Spectacular Sharkooth Island Solar Paddle from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 21. Cost is $75 per person and space is limited. Call 912-727-339 for more information.
Editor’s note:
If you know of an eclipse event in our area, let us know at editor@coastalcourier.com.