August 21, 2017 – Santa Fe College welcomes new and returning students to the start of fall semester classes. Welcome stations are set up around campus to provide valuable information to help them more easily get around campus and our centers.
Today is also the day of the solar eclipse. Even though Alachua and Bradford counties are not in the area to totality for the eclipse, there will be a partial eclipse with nearly 90 percent of the sun covered by the passing moon. The eclipse will begin at 1:15 p.m. and end at 4:12 p.m. with the peak of the eclipse at 2:47 p.m.
Unfortunately, Mother Nature may limit the view of the eclipse. The weather forecast is calling for overcast skies with scattered showers, especially in the afternoon. If the sun is completely obscured by clouds, eclipse shades will not be necessary.
However, if any portion of the sun can be seen through the clouds, you will need proper eye protection. Regardless of cloud cover, you should notice the sky darkening significantly during the eclipse.
If the eclipse does turn out to be somewhat anticlimactic, there will be another partial eclipse in the Gainesville, Florida area April 8, 2024. If you are around long enough, Gainesville will experience a total solar eclipse Aug. 12, 2045.