What are you doing April 8?

Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you’ve probably heard by now that there will be a solar eclipse that day.

Most Americans will be able to see the eclipse in some form, although not everyone will be in the path of totality.

The path of totality will cross 11 states, including Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. While this region won’t see a total eclipse — expect 90% totality in Massachusetts — you can still get in on the fun.

There are several local spots where you can pick up eclipse glasses in order to view this celestial phenomenon safely.

Solar eclipse 2024: What will it look like in New Bedford? Search your ZIP code here

Here are some places where you can find the right eclipse glasses, and even attend a couple of viewing parties, around the SouthCoast area:

Meet a member of the Astronomical Society in Wareham

The Wareham Free Library, 59 Marion Road is hosting a free Solar Eclipse Program at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 2. Roger Menard, from the Astronomical Society of SNE, will talk about Solar Eclipses.  Learn what they are, how they happen, about solar eclipses in history, and how to view them safely.

Free solar eclipse glasses will be handed out to participants.

All About Eclipses in Middleboro

At the Middleborough Public Library, 102 N Main St., learn how the moon’s shadow on the Earth causes solar eclipses on from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on April 6, from author, educator, and scientist Jana Grcevich.

They also have free certified eclipse glasses provided by the NASA ‘s STARnet SEAL program to safely observe this amazing celestial event from your backyard.

DYI Pinhole viewers in Fairhaven

Make sure to pick up your free pair of solar eclipse glasses at Millicent Library, 45 Center St., while supplies last.

You can also make your own DIY pinhole viewer if you drop by on April 3.

Get creative in Marion

You can stop by the Elizabeth Taber Library, 8 Spring St., to get a free pair of solar glasses.

They will have space crafts to created all day on April 8 in honor of the solar eclipse.

Solar eclipse viewing party at Swansea Library

The Swansea Free Public Library, 69 Main St., is hosting a solar eclipse viewing party on their front lawn on April 8.

Bring a chair or blanket, and enjoy the eclipse, weather permitting.

Each attendee will receive a pair of eclipse viewing glasses while supplies last.

The Great Eclipse Get-Together in Tiverton

All ages are welcome to The Great Eclipse Get-Together at the Tiverton Public Library, 34 Roosevelt Ave.

Drop in between 1 and 4 p.m. to celebrate.

The official NASA broadcast will be on the big screen for safe and fun viewing.

Borrow a pair of solar eclipse glasses or a pinhole projector to view the event outside. There aren’t enough glasses for everyone who attends to have a pair, but attendees may share amongst each other.

The library will be serving light eclipse-themed refreshments.

Make your own pinhole viewers at Millicent library

Stop by the Millicent Public Library in Fairhaven for a free pair of solar eclipse glasses (while supplies last). Safely view the Eclipse on April 8 with these, or drop in April 3 to make do-it-yourself pinhole viewers.

Watch party roundup

— Brownell Library in Little Compton will host an Eclipse Viewing on April 8 from 2 to 4:30 p.m., with activities for all ages.

— The EcoTarium in Worcester will host an eclipse viewing event in their Sun Dial Plaza.

— The Museum of Natural History in Roger Williams Park will host a free family-friendly watch party for the partial solar eclipse. Each family visiting on April 8 will receive a free pair of eclipse viewing glasses, provided by the NASA Rhode Island Space Grant Consortium. This free community event includes free admission to the museum on Monday, April 8.

Stellar show: Total solar eclipse occurs on April 8. How far must Mass. residents travel to see it?

Parks are the place to be

Your favorite MassAudubon wildlife sanctuary could be the perfect spot to witness the eclipse outdoors. The Department of Conservation and Recreation properties across Massachusetts are also great spots to enjoy it.

Several state parks are hosting special free programs and offering free eclipse glasses, while supplies last. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Some areas charge a parking fee.

All DCR eclipse events are from 2:20 p.m. to 4:20 p.m. Visit the Mass. DCR website for more information.

— Blackstone Heritage River and Canal Heritage State Park, 287 Oak St., Uxbridge

— Blue Hills Reservation, 725 Hillside St., Milton

— Borderland State Park, 259 Massapoag Ave., North Easton

— Nickerson State Park, 3488 Main St., Brewster

— Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, 131 Waquoit Hwy., East Falmouth

— Halibut Point State Park, 4 Gott Avenue, Rockport

— Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls

— Mt. Greylock State Reservation, 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough

Sonic serving up stellar special

Sonic Drive-In announced a special eclipse-themed menu item to give fans an “out-of-this-world experience,” according to a news release. The new Blackout Slush Float is available now for a limited time. What’s in it? The Blackout is a sweet, cotton candy and dragon fruit flavored, all-black slush representing the temporary darkness from the solar eclipse and topped with creamy white soft serve and blue and purple galaxy-themed sprinkles. There are Sonic locations in Warwick and Smithfield, as well as Somerset, Massachusetts.

Full eclipse experience just a few hours away

Don’t mind a road trip? You can witness the April 8 eclipse in its entirety from many areas that are not so far away, according to Tim Brothers, technical instructor and observatory manager at the MIT Wallace Astrophysical Observatory in Westford.

“While the entirety of New England will experience the solar eclipse on April 8, if you want to see the “totality” of the total solar eclipse, you need to be within the path,” Brothers told Wicked Local. “Fortunately, this path covers much of northern and western New England, including New York, although it does not pass over Massachusetts.”

“If you do make it to the path of totality, expect the eclipse to start shortly after 2 p.m. The totality will start after 3 p.m. and the eclipse itself will conclude after 4:30 p.m.”

Among the places where viewers can see a total eclipse include Burlington, Vermont (3:26 p.m.); Lancaster, New Hampshire (3:27 p.m.); and Caribou, Maine (3:32 p.m.), according to NASA.

“Where you pick your spot within the path will dictate how long you experience the totality,” Brothers said. “This will range from roughly two minutes at the edges to about three-and-a-half minutes in the center of the path. Fortunately, the path will be roughly 100 miles wide.”

With Wicked Local reports

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Solar eclipse 2024 places to watch in New Bedford