August 16, 2017
EDUCATIONCAREERS Special Edition
Page 19
Countdown to Solar Eclipse 2017
Oregon is one of
the best places
to view the
rare total solar
eclipse
by Z achary s enn
t he p ortland o bserver
Oregonians across the state are
making plans to view the total so-
lar eclipse on Monday, August 21.
State leaders, meanwhile, are pre-
paring to host as many as 1 million
visitors from outside. Officials are
warning of massive traffic delays,
crowded accommodations and a
high risk of wildfires.
The path of totality, where
the eclipse’s effects can be fully
viewed, will begin in Lincoln City
and travel inland across the state,
stretching over Salem, Madras, and
John Day. The eclipse will be par-
tially visible, however, in the Port-
land Metro area.
The eclipse will begin at 9:05
a.m. in Lincoln City and Salem,
and the skies will continue to dark-
en until totality is reached at 10:18
a.m. The eclipse will end at 11:41
a.m. In eastern cities, such as John
Day, the eclipse will reach totality
Eclipse Cancels
Activities
Portland Community College
will close and Meals on Wheels
People will close its dining cen-
ters and suspend Meals on Wheels
delivery on Monday, Aug. 21, be-
cause of the potential of driving
hazards during the solar eclipse.
All classes, activities and ser-
vices at PCC campus will be can-
celled for the day and evening due
to the possible safety risks associ-
ated with the anticipated influx of
people and traffic into the Portland
region to view the solar eclipse,
college officials announced Friday.
For Wheels on Meals, all home-
bound clients will receive a frozen
meal this Friday, Aug. 18, that can
be heated and eaten on Monday,
officials said.
“We want to ensure the safety of
both our clients and our volunteers,”
said Meals on Wheels People Exec-
utive Director Suzanne Washing-
ton. “The total solar eclipse will
cause dusk-like conditions between
10 a.m. and noon at the time when
all Meals on Wheels deliveries are
made and our senior diners are
coming into the centers. Because of
anticipated traffic issues and a high
volume of tourists, the roads may be
hazardous to navigate. Any senior
diner who needs a meal on Monday
will receive a frozen meal to take
home on Friday.”
A rare glimpse of a total solar eclipse happens next Monday.
as much as six minutes later.
Health experts say that the
eclipse should not be viewed with
the naked eye. Looking directly at
the sun, even when it is obscured,
could cause temporary blindness
and permanent eye damage. Spe-
cially certified eclipse glasses are
currently being sold throughout the
state.
During totality, the eclipse can be
viewed with the naked eye. Totality
will last for less than two minutes
throughout the state, and will not
be visible in the Portland region.
Finding specially produced eclipse
glasses is the best way to prevent
injury and enjoy the astral event.
The Oregon Department of
Transportation (ODOT) says that
commuters and eclipse viewers
alike should plan for three days of
traffic backups, and advise against
travelling on the day of the eclipse
itself. ODOT also warns that big-
rigs and other interstate transports
will still be on the roads, and may
exacerbate delays.
Events will be held for the
eclipse throughout the state, in-
cluding a three-day celebration at
the State Capitol in Salem. The
Salem Philharmonic Orchestra will
be performing a special eclipse
concert on the Capitol grounds,
and Rose City Astronomer Presi-
dent Margaret Mcrea will be nar-
rating the eclipse as it occurs. All
events at the Oregon State Capitol
will be admission-free.