The planetarium show “The Eclipse is Coming! The Eclipse is Coming!” is coming to Ritchie Observatory at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, June 10.

The first total solar eclipse visible in the United States in 26 years will occur on Aug. 21 and it is in our backyard, so the speak. This may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; Bainbridge Island will get a 90 percent partial eclipse, but the difference between 90 percent and 100 percent is day and night. Come learn why this is something that you should not miss. Oregon is prime viewing area for the eclipse, and so, hundreds of thousands of people may be converging on the state. Learn how some planning will enable you to see, feel and photograph this spectacular event.

Presenter Jay Bakst is a veteran eclipse chaser, having seen six total solar eclipses around the world starting in 1979. He has travelled from the Galapagos Islands to the Black Sea and has spent over 22 minutes in totality. Bakst is an amateur student of astronomy becoming one of the first to complete the gold program at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago. He has ground his own telescope mirror.

Additionally, he travelled to South America to view Halley’s Comet in 1986.

Afterwards, the group will observe clouds and/or rain. On the off-chance the sky is clear, astronomers will be on hand with telescopes.

The show is free to members of the Battle Point Astronomical Association; $2 donation suggested for nonmembers, $5 for families.