On April 8, the skies will offer a rare celestial spectacle: a total solar eclipse.

So, be sure to mark your calendars, because if you miss this one, scientists at NASA say there won’t be another visible from the contiguous United States until Aug. 23, 2044.

To celebrate the occasion, the Modesto Children’s Museum, along with Sutter Health and Stanislaus County Library, invites the community to gather at designated viewing sites to witness the eclipse.

“A total solar eclipse happens when the moon passes directly between the Earth and the sun, blocking the entire surface of the sun from view,” said Ryan Hollister, a science professor at California State University, Stanislaus, and Modesto Junior College.

“Folks directly in the viewing path will experience rapid temperature drops — perhaps 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or a little more — and the stars will come out during totality as the moon’s inner shadow, called the umbra,  travels over the Earth.

“Totality will average a bit over four minutes in the U.S. portion of the path because the moon is slightly closer to the Earth in its orbit than the 2017 eclipse. The moon being closer to Earth makes the umbra wider. That means this will be a truly unforgettable experience for folks in Texas to southeast Canada, weather-permitting. For us locally, we’ll be in the wider, lighter, outer shadow called the penumbra and will only see a partial eclipse with about 48 percent of the sun’s surface covered.”

Sutter Health is providing 10,000 pairs of eclipse-viewing glasses — on a first-come, first-served basis. A portion of the glasses will go to Modesto City Schools students.

Keyes Library, 5506 Jennie Ave., will be hold its event from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and one will be at Gallo Center for the Arts Rotary Garden, 1000 I St., Modesto.

Attendees will have the opportunity to safely view the eclipse, and engage in a variety of fun, exciting, and educational activities for all ages.

“Eclipses are rare occurrences,” said Mize. “We’re excited to make this event accessible to everyone, fostering a sense of wonder and curiosity about the universe.”

For more information, visit modestochildrensmuseum.org/eclipse.