NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Berkshires won't see a full eclipse on Monday as we're south and east of the path of totality, but we should see about 94 to 96 percent of it.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration says North Berkshire will be at the highest at 96.3 percent of totality at 3:26 p.m. on Monday.
People along the path of totality will be able to the Sun's corona, or outer atmosphere, which is usually obscured.
The eclipse will begin about 2:13 and end at 4:37 p.m. During this time, the sky will darken and will be noticeable even if there is cloud coverage.
How much cloud coverage the Berkshires will have is up in the air — the National Weather Service in Albany, N.Y., is predicting from 70 to 90 percent but Accuweather says it will be low to moderate cloud and "fine viewing" for much of New England. Temperatures should be in the low 50s.
You should never look at an eclipse without special filters. Eclipse glasses should be available at local pharmacies and certain retailers. A number of posts on Facebook say they can be found at Walmart, Cumberland Farms and Home Depot.
NASA reminds everyone that severe eye injury can occur by looking at any part of the bright sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter (not eclipse glasses) secured over the front of the optics. Sunglasses also are not a replacement for eclipse glasses. More information here.
Astronomers are suggesting you wear red or green, or have a red or green object nearby, to experience the Purkinje Effect on color.
The next solar eclipse visible from this region won't be for another 55 years, in 2079.
There are a few eclipse-watching parties around the county starting at 2 p.m.
• North Adams Public Library is hosting the Northern Berkshire Astronomical Society for a public viewing party. There will be a solar filter-equipped telescope set up for viewing and a limited supply of solar eclipse glasses. Runs from 2 to 4:30.
• A viewing party will set up at the Common in Pittsfield.
• Amateur astronomer Rick Costello will have four telescopes with solar filters at the Mason Library in Great Barrington. The library will have a limited number of eclipse glasses on a first-come-first-served basis.
• Williams College will project a livestream from the path of totality at Hopkins Observatory from 2 to 5 p.m. and will have telescopes available for viewing the eclipse on the lawn outside of the observatory. A limited number of eclipse glasses will also be available.
A "lights-out" event will run from 10 to 10:30 p.m. in the science quad so everyone can view the night sky unaffected by light pollution. Join us to enjoy the night sky, including through a couple of our telescopes. Both events are free and open to the public and telescope viewing dependent on weather.
• The Mount Greylock State Reservation hosts a viewing at the Visitors Center on Rockwell Road in Lanesborough. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and dress warm. Eclipse glasses available while supplies last.
• Stephentown (N.Y.) Memorial Library; limited number of glasses available.
• UCP of Western Massachusetts hosts a "sound for all" hearing of the eclipse at its offices at the Clock Tower Building in Pittsfield. The LightSound device allows people with all levels of sight to experience the eclipse aurally.
The device was developed for the 2017 eclipse to aid people who are blind or have low vision experience the astronomical event. It activates sound in relation to the level of light. A hearing is being hosted over Zoom from 2 to 4.
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Colegrove Park Recognized as Top 10 School Statewide in Attendance
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
Superintendent Barbara Malkas, left, Colegrove Principal Amy Meehan, Mayor Jennifer Macksey and Dean of Students Jonathan Slocum pose with the Celtics basketball award on Friday.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Boston Celtics gave gold to Colegrove Park Elementary School on Friday for scoring in the top 10 schools for attendance statewide. The school saw its chronic absenteeism numbers drop by 11 percent last year.
Tim Connor, assistant director for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's west and central district, arrived with a gold basketball signed by the champion team to reward the students for their achievement.
"An award like this doesn't come easy. It takes a lot of work from all of you, the students, the parents, and especially Ms. Meehan and her wonderful staff, so a big round of applause," said Mayor Jennifer Macksey, after leading the assembly in the gym to chants of "Colegrove rocks!" "I am so proud of this school and the community that all of you have built. So everyone should be really excited about today, and this is an excellent way to start your school."
Superintendent Barbara Malkas asked last year's fifth-graders at Colegrove to join her at the front of the gym for a special applause.
"When we track attendance of all the students in the whole district, these students have the highest attendance rate, the lowest chronic absenteeism rate in the entire district," Malkas said. "While all Colegrove students have been recognized as attendance all-stars, these students led the way in being attendance all-stars, so let's give them one more round of applause."
Colegrove switched this year to house Grades 3 to 6, so some of the younger students who helped earn the award are now at Brayton Elementary. However, all three elementary schools open last year saw improvement in attendance.
Schools statewide have been working to reduce chronic absenteeism — the percentage of students missing 10 percent of the school year, or 18 days — which peaked during the pandemic.
Last week, the nonprofit held a ceremonial groundbreaking for a 900-square-foot wooden structure with a full foundation and a composting toilet. The excavation process began this week, and completion is expected in 2026.
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The Boston Celtics gave gold to Colegrove Park Elementary School on Friday for scoring in the top 10 schools for attendance statewide. The school saw its chronic absenteeism numbers drop by 11 percent last year. click for more