Only a tiny corner of the state, in farthest southwest Iowa is in path of the Total Eclipse of the Sun this Monday, but all of Iowa will experience a partial Solar Eclipse.
Des Moines will experience a 95-percent Solar Eclipse. That's enough for near-total darkness, but probably not dark enough to see stars, says Herb Schwartz of the Drake University Observatory. He tells WHO Radio News that it is dark enough to make animals and insects prepare for sleep, as their Circadian Rhythems are driven by light and darkness.
If you can't find solar eclipse protective glasses, experts advise do not look at the sun as it can cause permanent damage to the eyes. Instead, watch the eclipse as it happens Monday, online or at a live event.
Information on solar viewing from Dr. Jennifer DenHartog O.D. Downtown EyeCare of Des Moines: http://www.downtowneye.net/author/jennifer-denhartogod/
MONDAY TIMES FOR SOLAR ECLIPSE IN IOWA:
CITY ECLIPSE STARTS MAXIMUM ECLIPSE ENDS
Cedar Rapids 11:46am 1:12pm 2:36pm
Council Bluffs 11:38am 1:04pm 2:30pm
Davenport 11:48am 1:14pm 2:38pm
Des Moines 11:44am 1:08pm 2:33pm
Iowa City 11:46am 1:12pm 2:37pm
ECLIPSE TIMES BY U.S. CITY: https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in.html
SOLAR ECLIPSE VIEWING EVENTS
There is one NASA endorsed Eclipse Viewing Event in Des Moines Monday - hosted by the Science Center of Iowa and Blank IMAX Theater.
The event is 11:45a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and is free to all on the West Terrace steps of the Iowa State Capitol Building.
SCIENCE CENTER OF IOWA NASA ECLIPSE EVENTS: http://www.sciowa.org/event-calendar/?id_category=3&view_by=d&day=2017-08-21
STREAM ECLIPSE LIVE FROM NASA on Monday: https://www.nasa.gov/eclipselive
Scroll down for Eclipse viewing events in other Iowa cities
SOLAR ECLIPSE MAP FROM NASA SHOWING IOWA
Total Eclipse area in gray. Shows percent of Eclipse for other areas.
More maps and information from NASA: https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/eclipse-maps
OTHER ECLIPSE VIEWING EVENTS IN IOWA
Iowa City Public Library 123 South Linn Street has a special solar eclipse celebration planned for kids and teens.
The Solar-Bration of the solar eclipse starts at 1pm on August 21st and ends at 2:30pm in Meeting Room A. There will be a limited number of solar eclipse glasses available. If you plan to attend this event, it's best to bring your own just to be safe. Contact the library at 319-356-5200 with questions.
University of Iowa in Iowa City outside the Sciences Library or on the Pentacrest.
There will be viewing stations equipped with eclipse glasses and telescopes between 11:30am and 3pm. Eclipse experts, staff, student experts, and faculty will be there to answer questions and demonstrate safe viewing.
University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls is hosting a Solar Eclipse viewing party in the Rod Library in Room 287 and south of the Campanile from noon until 2pm.
This event is open to the public and free of charge. Participants can view the eclipse through a telescope or with solar viewing glasses.
The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium in Dubuque is offering a free event between 9am and 2:30pm on the 21st in the Museum and Aquarium plaza.
There will be educational activities for kids and adults. While there will be a limited number of free ISO-approved viewing glasses available, it's best to plan ahead and bring your own.