Clouds obscure view of eclipse for skywatchers in Inland Northwest

MOSCOW — Like other such events planned Saturday morning in the Inland Northwest, the University of Idaho eclipse watch party was canceled because of cloudy skies.

“We’re disappointed,” Jana Joyce, department manager of mathematics and statistical science, said. “But, we knew there was a chance.”

The partial solar eclipse was expected to be at its most visible at 9:23 a.m. Saturday, but a blanket of clouds across north central Idaho and southeastern Washington kept the phenomenon hidden.

Faculty and students from the UI College of Science and Department of Physics planned the viewing party for the annular solar eclipse. They came with eclipse glasses and were available to answer questions.

Around 100 people stopped by the Theophilus Tower lawn to watch the solar event, said Eric Bennett, director of development for the college.

“We’re just disappointed people came out and didn’t see anything,” Bennett said.

He added the next eclipse will be in April. Bennett said around 20% of the sun will be obscured.