The big astronomy story this month is the total solar eclipse passing through Texas into Maine on April 8th. Tens of millions of people will be watching this eclipse in the United States. Unfortunately, Tallahassee is not located in the path of totality, but we will see 70 percent of the Sun covered by the Moon. The eclipse begins at 1:42 pm eastern with maximum coverage at 2:58. The eclipse ends at 4:17. A total solar eclipse is an amazing sight to behold. Stars can be seen as well as planets close to the Sun. Also, the outer atmosphere of the Sun, the corona ("crown"), becomes visible. The corona is the whispery, hairlike phenomena that you see in eclipse pictures. As the Sun is covered by the Moon and the sky darkens, the air temperature drops. The Tallahassee Astronomical Society will be setting up telescopes on Kleman Plaza in front of the Challenger Learning Center so that the public can safely view the eclipse (weather permitting). The Challenger has special solar glasses for sale for $2 each. Never look at the Sun without approved eye-protection. You can also make a pinhole camera: www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/learn/project/how-to-make-a-pinhole-camera/ Another phenomenon is created by sunlight passing through the gaps between leaves of a tree creating multiple pinhole cameras. Check it out.