SKY WATCHING -- An educational twist to viewing the Aug. 1 solar eclipse is being organized for two sites in the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area as well as the Kettle Falls library. 

This solar eclipse, which last occurred in 1918, will cross North America from coast to coast and be viewed by millions of people around the world. Lake Roosevelt  -- the reservoir backing up 125 miles behind Grand Coulee Dam --  will experience a partial eclipse in which the moon will cover almost 90 percent of the sun for about two minutes, National Park Service officials say.

Three Eclipse Viewing Programs have been scheduled in which visitors can see the eclipse through solar telescopes and receive  free commemorative solar glasses.

Children can earn a Junior Ranger badge by completing a special eclipse program or create their own solar eclipse to take home.

Citizen science information will be available regarding the sun and how solar eclipses affect the Earth.

The Eclipse Viewing programs are set for:

• Crescent Bay in Grand Coulee, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Info: (509) 754-7843
• Fort Spokane Visitor Center (23 miles north of Davenport), 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Info: (509) 754-7893
• Kettle Falls Branch of the Sevens County Libraries, 605 Meyers St., 9:45 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Info: (509) 738-6817.