Karen Boatmen eagerly positioned her eclipse glasses onto her face, getting a small snippet of what it will be like on the big day Aug. 21.

I think all the kids should experience something like that, said the 8-year-olds mother, Joy Lydell, about the upcoming solar eclipse.

The two were at the Boyd County Public Library, where a viewing party will be hosted for the rare event. Aug. 21 will be the first time since 1979 a total solar eclipse has been visible from the contiguous United States.

During the eclipse, the moon will pass between the sun and Earth, blocking either all or part of the suns light depending on location. According to Dr. Thomas Pannuti, an Associate Professor of Space Science and Astrophysics at Morehead State University, the moon will block the sun for about two minutes and 40 seconds.

Overall, the eclipse can last for up to about three hours, from beginning to end.

Western Kentucky will witness a total solar eclipse since it falls in the path of totality. The path spans about 70 miles in width and will cross the United States from west to east. Ashland will experience a partial eclipse.

About 91 percent of the sun will be covered in Ashland, said Pannuti.

Pannuti explained what the sky would possibly look like during the eclipse, saying it will not be night-like, but there will be some darkness. Even though the suns rays will be partially blocked, looking at it can still cause damage to the eyes.

We definitely encourage people not to look directly at the sun, said Pannuti.

According to NASA, the only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters, like eclipse glasses, which do not include everyday sunglasses. For a list of reputable manufacturers and authorized dealers of solar filters and viewers go to eclipse.aas.org/resources/solar-filters.

The BCPL will also be giving out free eclipse glasses at all library locations from Monday until the day of the eclipse. Glasses will be limited to one per person.

The librarys eclipse viewing party will be from 1 to 2 p.m. outside the main branch in Central Park. Ben Nunley, BCPL public service manager, said eclipse glasses will also be handed out at the event along with information on the eclipse. The library has ordered 2,200 pairs of glasses in preparation.

Nunley said there will drinks and moon pies available. He added the library was also thinking about playing space-related tunes to go with the eclipse theme.

Morehead State University will also host an eclipse viewing event in front of the Space Science Center from 1 to 4 p.m. Astrophysics and space science students will be on-hand to assist in viewing the eclipse with solar telescopes and eclipse glasses.

The East Kentucky Science Center and Varia Planetarium will host an event on the campus of Big Sandy Community and Technical College to celebrate the eclipse as well.The center and Varia Planetarium will be open from noon to 5 p.m. free of charge.

The eclipse will be webcast on the planetarium dome and, weather permitting, there will be outdoor observations using special sunspotter instruments. Guests will receive free eclipse glasses.

While many will be flocking to prime viewing areas to observe the occurrence, some will be protesting it. Kentuckians for Coal will host a protest in Hopkinsville an area that will be in the path of totality in Western Kentucky in front of the Kentucky New Era newspaper on 1618 E. 9th St. from noon to 2 p.m.

The group is an ad-hoc coalition of miners, union officials, family members and coal users created to defend the Kentucky coal industry against encroachment from renewable energy industries and from economic development initiatives aimed at lessening Americas dependence on coal.

According to a release, Kentuckians for Coal stands against the eclipse and those who worship it. The coalition claims that the eclipses attraction of many visitors to Hopkinsville will further test the patience of both local residents and the extra law enforcement brought in to maintain order.

Communications director for the Kentucky tourism, Arts and Heritage cabinet Laura Brooks touched on the tourism impact of the eclipse, saying it will be big.

We certainly think its going to be an economic boom for the Commonwealth, especially in the western part, she said.

Brooks said of the six state parks that lie in the path of totality, all are fully booked on the Sunday night before the eclipse. She also anticipates there will be an international draw to Kentucky.

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Reach for the moon: Ashland prepares for solar eclipse - The Independent