Museum and Sea Center closing at 3:00 PM on Dec. 24 and closed Dec 25. Otherwise open daily, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM

Eclipse Viewing Party in Goleta

At Camino Real Marketplace, Goleta

April 8, 2024 / 10:00 AM–1:00 PM

Watch the solar eclipse with us at Goleta’s Camino Real Marketplace!

Looking directly at a solar eclipse is dangerous, so we’re offering two cool ways to safely experience this cosmic phenomenon. Enjoy a closer view through our specially filtered solar telescopes and get your own pair of eclipse glasses while supplies last ($4.59 plus tax, proceeds support the Museum).

The main action will take place starting at 10:06 AM, when the Moon begins to move in front of the Sun. Our best viewing will be 11:11 AM, when the approximately 55% partial eclipse visible from our region will be most impressive. By 12:19 PM, the Moon will have moved totally out of the way, and we'll enjoy normal solar telescope viewing for the remainder of our party (weather permitting).

This free public eclipse viewing party in Goleta is presented by the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit (SBAU) in collaboration with the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History's Astronomy Programs.

Can't come to the party? Check out our eclipse tips, including special tips just for teachers on the Astronomy Programs page.

*In the sunken plaza in front of Starbucks and Los Agaves

Partial eclipse photo by NASA/Norah Moran/Johnson Space Center