TOLEDO, Ohio — There are 18 days to go until the total solar eclipse on April 8. Before the big day, the Imagination Station wants help the community prepare for the once-in-a-lifetime event.
More than 100 ambassadors with the Imagination Station, downtown Toledo's science center, are traveling through Lucas, Wood, Hancock and Monroe counties to host information celebrations and educate the public.
The ambassadors are equipped with eclipse kits that include resources and activities to host the events on their own across the region.
A spokesperson with Imagination Station said ambassadors spread eclipse education and excitement about this rare event, hoping to reach as many people as possible.
"I would say one of the main things they are spreading is eclipse safety, and making sure everyone knows to wear their eclipse glasses during the partial eclipse which starts around 1 p.m., and doesn't end until around 4 pm.," said Sutton Reekes, Imagination Station's communications and media manager. "So, making sure everyone has access to eclipse glasses knowing where to get them, and making sure they are certified glasses with the proper filter."
Safety is a large part of the education celebrations, which is why ambassadors inform the community on where to find the certified eclipse glasses. The ambassadors will host a presentation in partnership with Metroparks Toledo on Thursday 7 p.m., but for further details and for information on future events, you are encouraged to email the ambassador program and visit their website.
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Reekes said the solar eclipse is something the public won't want to miss, as a total eclipse in a region is not common, and often only happens once per generation.
"The last time a solar eclipse happened in Toledo was 1806, and another won't happen until 2099," Reekes said. "So this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and it's really exciting that it's coming over our region. And here in Toledo we will have a minute and 54 seconds of complete darkness, and the moon fully covers the sun."
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