Solar eclipse draws a crowd to Ward Park

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Solar eclipse draws a crowd to Ward Park
Fran Flanagan, left, and Bill Fisher, both of Marlborough, check out the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, behind the Senior Center on New Street. (Photo/Maureen Sullivan)

MARLBOROUGH – On Monday, April 8, more than 100 people lined the back of the Senior Center and Ward Park to keep their eyes (safely) on the sky.

A beautiful early spring afternoon made way for a near-total solar eclipse. Thin clouds did nothing to dull the spectacle, which began around 2:15 p.m. and ended two hours later.

At its height, the eclipse achieved about 92% totality.

Staff from the Marlborough Public Library handed out pairs of eclipse glasses, as well as information on a new library survey. They also hosted a children’s craft centered on the eclipse.

RELATED CONTENT: A solar eclipse to remember in Shrewsbury

Most eclipse-watchers wore special glasses; some brought homemade pinhole cameras. City Councilor Mark Oram brought along a telescope with a special filter; when the telescope didn’t quite work, he handed the filter to other visitors so they could see the eclipse.

Miss the show on April 8? The next partial solar eclipses to be visible in the area will take place in March 2025 and August 2026; the next total solar eclipse in the area won’t take place until May 2079.

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