Grays Harbor County may not be in the path of totality for the 2017 total eclipse set to occur Aug. 21 but that doesn’t mean its residents can’t get a glimpse of what could be a once in a lifetime event.

The path of totality, the path that the Moon’s shadow traces on the Earth during a total solar eclipse, will only get as close as Oregon for those who are willing to make a trip to see 100 percent of what the eclipse has to offer. Those who choose to remain in Grays Harbor County to witness the event will witness it through 95 percent obscuration.

“It could more closely resemble a very cloudy day or dust approaching,” said lead communications specialist for NASA’s planetary science division Laurie Cantillo. “But since there is going to be some sun it will be noticeably darker, but won’t be so dramatic that it feels like night time.”

The opportunity to view the partial eclipse in Grays Harbor County will start at approximately 9:08 a.m. Aug. 21, with the maximum eclipse occurring in the area at 10:19 a.m. The partial eclipse will conclude at about 11:40 a.m.

“Since safety is NASA’s number one priority people still need to use a pinhole projector method or have certified eclipse safety glasses,” Cantillo said. “The only time it is safe to remove them is if you are in the path of totality.”

Since the path of totality will not pass through Grays Harbor County, anyone planning to stare at the eclipse for any amount of time needs to make sure they are properly equipped to do so.

Press officer at the American Astronomical Society (AAS) Rick Fienberg said day-to-day sunglasses won’t suffice for viewing the eclipse.

“Ordinary sunglasses typically transmit about half of ambient daylight so when you put on sunglasses it cuts down the amount of ambient light so you don’t have to squint,” he said. “But eclipse viewers are made for looking at the sun and transmit only about .001 percent of the ambient light.”

Fienberg said with the eclipse viewers blocking 99.9 percent of ambient light they are thousands or even tens of thousands times darker than ordinary sun glasses.

“Eclipse glasses are made for looking right at the sun which is so bright you need to block 99 percent of light,” Fienberg said.

Throughout the last two weeks the AAS has changed its recommendations for how to acquire eclipse glasses.

“The problem is that in the last two weeks the marketplace has been flooded by products claiming to meet safety standards but that actually have no proof of that,” Fienberg said. “Some of these products are literally counterfeits.”

It is impossible to tell just by looking at or through the glasses whether or not they are genuine and safe. Fienberg said the only way to be certain of authenticity is to know where the glasses come from. The AAS has created a list for known retailers selling legitimate products under the eye safety section at eclipse.aas.org.

The other concern Grays Harbor County residents may have is in regards to the forecast the day of the eclipse.

Science and operations officer at the National Weather Service in Seattle Kirby Cook said being a week out the forecast is likely to change but for now Grays Harbor area residents may struggle to get a good view of the eclipse.

“Right now we’re looking at probably morning clouds and possibly cloudy conditions into the afternoon so that’s going to make it challenging to view even the partial eclipse,” he said.

Fienberg said while people would have to make their way to Oregon to be in the path of totality it would be well worth the drive.

“If you’re thinking about going into the path of totality start planning right now because it’s definitely worth it,” he said. “A total eclipse is totally different from a partial eclipse. It’s a spectacular event that you couldn’t possibly miss. You can look right at it and see this black hole where the sun used to be.”

The Elma Timberland Library will host an Eclipse Across America event where people can make simple eclipse projectors out of cardboard boxes, paper, tape and foil from Aug. 15 to Aug. 19. The Aberdeen Timberland Library will host Eclipse and Eclairs on Aug. 21, 10-10:30 a.m. Eclairs and safety goggles will be available while supplies last.

The next opportunity to view a total eclipse will be on April 8, 2024. Its path will follow along the eastern U.S. from Texas to Maine.