While the solar eclipse this April 8th won't be total for those in Middle Georgia, there will still be a partial solar eclipse that will slightly darken the huge, fiery star that hangs high above Earth.

One special and unique location that will present a free partial solar eclipse viewing event will the the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park.

The event starts at 1:30 p.m. with the eclipse starting around 1:46 p.m. and the park's rangers will educate attendees about solar eclipses as well as pass out a limited number of solar eclipse junior ranger books and solar viewers.

Another unique way to enjoy the eclipse is the Eclipse Hike at Brown's Mount. This event starts at 2 p.m. and will focus more on the "reactions of birds and insects", "visit the overlook [and] the writer's cabin ruin, the grape arbor at the old homestead [and] look for 65-million year-old fossils" and visit an old mound made by Native Americans. 

Downtown Macon's multi-story buildings can be seen from Brown's Mount on clear days (Photographer Nate Weeks)

Both of these events are free and open to the public.

Those in Central Georgia we be able to see about a 77% partial eclipse while many people in Texas, Indiana, New York and other states will experience a full totality.

During full totality, animals that are normally more active during the nighttime often begin their nightly habits in the middle of the day, which makes the astronomical event even more interesting.

The next solar eclipse after April 8th for those in North America will be on August 23, 2044 and end around sunset in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

• Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park - 1207 Emery Highway, Macon
  

• Brown's Mount - 2069 Joe Brown Drive, Macon

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