This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

A partial solar eclipse will darken the skies over Utah Thursday afternoon.

The moon will move between the Earth and the sun, off-center, making it look like the moon has taken a bite out of our closest star.

The eclipse will begin at 3:06 p.m., reach its maximum at 4:27 p.m. and end at 5:39 p.m. The best times to view the eclipse are from 4:15 p.m. to 4:40 p.m., according to the Clark Planetarium. As seen from the Beehive State, the sun will be about half covered by the moon.

Special viewing equipment is necessary to view the eclipse safely. The planetarium will sell eclipse glasses for $1.95 each, though quantities are limited. The planetarium also will have free solar telescopes set up at the Gateway Mall Olympic Plaza Fountain, 18 N. Rio Grande St., and Wheeler Farm, 6351 S. 900 East.

The Salt Lake Astronomical Society will have free viewing equipment available at the Natural History Museum of Utah, 301 Wakara Way, from 1 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

In St. George, the newly formed St. George Astronomy Group will set up free solar telescopes from 3 to 5:45 p.m. at two locations: Unity Park in Ivins, 400 S. between 200 and 400 West, and Lin's parking lot in Hurricane, 1120 W. State St. The Dixie State University Astronomy Club will set up telescopes on the field just south of the school's Holland Building, 225 S. 700 East in St. George.

Ensuring a safe viewing is paramount, and no viewers should stare directly at the sun without a solar filter or solar glasses. Looking directly at the sun with binoculars or a telescope can cause extreme eye damage, including blindness. Only solar telescopes should be used to view the celestial event.

Northern Utah's skies should only have a few clouds, and southern Utah should be clear during the viewing window, according to Christine Kruse, meteorologist for the National Weather Service. Temperatures should be fairly mild, in the low 70s to upper 60s.

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