There are plenty of places to enjoy Monday’s afternoon darkness

You’re going to get some brief relief from the Florida afternoon sun on Aug. 21.

That’s the day, as you’ve no doubt heard, that a total solar eclipse will be visible across much of the United States. Here in the Bradenton area we won’t see a total eclipse, but about 80 percent of the mid-day sun will be covered by the moon. That promises to be pretty impressive, and it’s pretty rare. There won’t be another total solar eclipse visible in the United States until 2024.

You can head up to South Carolina to see the total eclipse, though you may be fighting horrific traffic to do that. There are predictions that, around the swath of totality, traffic may be unprecedented, as people from surrounding areas flock to the afternoon darkness.

If you prefer to stay closer to home, there are plenty of eclipse-watching events to help make the most of the moment, and to help you get a good look without threatening your vision. (The caveat is repeated in most news stories about the eclipse, but it’s important: It’s not safe to look at even a partially blocked sun.)

Here are a few places that you can watch the sky go dark:

▪ Marie Selby Gardens Botanical Gardens, 811 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota. From 1 to 4 p.m., Selby Gardens’ education team will provide a fun, casual activity to safely watch the eclipse. Materials will be available for pickup at the Kids Corner.

▪ Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), 4801 E. Fowler Ave.,Tampa. MOSI is closed for renovation, but the eclipse is a big enough deal that from 1 to 3:30 p.m. it’s welcoming visitors anyway. It’s an hour away but it may be worth it. You can view the eclipse through telescopes fitted with solar filters. MOSI educators will be on hand to answer questions and ensure a safe viewing experience. And if it’s cloudy that day so you can’t see the eclipse here, MOSI will air a live-stream video of the event from NASA.

▪ Bridge Tender Inn, 135 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach. It’s not often people go to the beach specifically because the sun isn’t shining, but that’s the whole idea behind the eclipse party at the Bridge Tender. Drink specials and commemorative cups are among the attractions.

▪ St. Petersburg College Planetarium, 6605 Fifth Ave. N., St. Petersburg. If the weather permits, St. Petersburg College will host an eclipse viewing between 1:15 and 4 p.m. Eclipse viewers and telescopes with solar filters will be available in the “quad” area of campus, east of the Natural Science building, near the south entrance of the West St. Petersburg Library.

▪ If you prefer a do-it-yourself eclipse experience, make sure you do that safely. Eclipse glasses are available from several sources, but fake ones that offer no protection are also on sale, so get yours from a reliable source. The Manatee County Libraries did receive a grant for 1,000 glasses but has few left. The South Florida Museum (201 10th St. W., Bradenton; 941-746-4131, southfloridamuseum.org) has glasses available for $1.99. (The museum also offers a “Complete Guide to the Eclipse,” which includes glasses, for $6.95.)

▪ The Palmetto Library at 923 Sixth St. W., Palmetto is hosting a Pre-Solar Eclipse Party 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Palmetto Library, according to Kelly Foster, marketing coordinator for Manatee Libraries and eclipse glasses will probably be available there. Call 941-722-3333.

This story was originally published August 16, 2017 at 4:50 PM with the headline "There are plenty of places to enjoy Monday’s afternoon darkness."