Jan Hammaker and Susie Ramsey, both of Warsaw, attended the solar eclipse viewing party at Warsaw Community Public Library.

WARSAW — A crowd gathered at Warsaw Community Public Library Monday, Aug. 21, to hang out and enjoy some free popcorn while viewing the first total solar eclipse seen by the contiguous United States since 1979.

The public was invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs to view the event from library grounds.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth and blocks all or part of the sun for up to three hours. Anyone within the path of totality can see a total solar eclipse. Observers outside this path are able to see a partial solar eclipse where the moon covers part of the sun’s disk.

In anticipation of the solar eclipse event, the library hosted a “Learn about the Solar Eclipse” program, presented by the Warsaw Astronomical Society, Aug. 8. WCPL also held a “Make a Solar Eclipse Viewer” event Aug. 16 where attendees were able to make their own viewer and learn viewing safety tips. WCPL Director Ann Zydek said turnout was big for both of those events.

Today’s viewing party was from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Prime viewing time for the eclipse in Indiana was around 2:20 p.m.

Amanda McFarland from WCPL stated they had approximately 150 pairs of solar eclipse glasses available today and had given them all out within the first five minutes of the viewing party.

Reactions at the gathering ranged from, “It’s okay” to “It’s pretty cool. It’s kind of surreal. It’s not something you see every day.”

When asked if they had seen a solar eclipse before, Susie Ramsey, Warsaw, responded, “Not like this.”

“It’s really neat,” said Jan Hammaker, Warsaw.