People on parts of the globe will see a near-total solar eclipse tonight, but Iowans will only see a partial-partial eclipse. As the moon moves between the earth and sun, about a third of the sun will be covered over Iowa’s skies. Other parts of the world will have a 99-percent block-out. The partial eclipse will be about 80-percent in California. University of Northern Iowa astronomy professor Dr. Siobahn Morgan says the best way to see it is not to look at it, as using binoculars or a telescope to look at an eclipse can bring blindness.Dr. Morgan says to use only welding glass or special eclipse viewing glasses. There’s also the pinhole viewer, made by punching a tiny hole in a piece of cardboard and letting the arc of light shine onto a piece of paper. She says Iowa’s show won’t be very spectacular.Morgan says the eclipse will be starting around seven-thirty this evening, peaking around eight-fifteen and ending by nine o’clock.
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