On Monday, the United States becomes ground zero for a full solar eclipse. For many, it's a once-in-a-lifetime event — it is the first time in 99 years that a total eclipse has traversed the U.S. coast to coast.

Here in Aspen, the sun will be 92 percent occluded at the peak of the eclipse; the eclipse will begin at 10:20 a.m., peak at 11:43 a.m., and end at 1:11 p.m.

It will be celebrated in countless ways; here are a few local happenings:

IN ASPEN

What: The Great American Eclipse

When: Monday, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Galena Plaza, Pitkin County Library

Details: The Aspen Science Center, in partnership with the Pitkin County Library, will host eclipse viewing with telescopes, pinhole cameras, demonstrations and simulations about eclipses, games for the kids and more. More than 400 pairs of free solar glasses will be available, or you can make your own solar eclipse viewer.

More info: http://www.aspensciencecenter.org

IN BASALT

What: Solar Eclipse Viewing Party

When: Monday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Basalt Library

Details: The library's telescope will be equipped with solar filters for viewing the eclipse and a limited number of free solar glasses also will be available. The event also will include free snacks and drinks, kids' activites, and "noisemakers to scare away the dragon who ate the sun."

More info: http://www.basaltlibrary.org

WANT MORE?

With the recent Perseid Meteor Shower, Stars Above Aspen event and the Great American Eclipse on everyone's mind, we sought out other astronomy-related activites worth checking out:

Aug. 26: New Moon Stargazing with Aspen Science Center. 7:30 to 11 p.m. Free. http://www.aspensciencecenter.org

Aug 28: Zodiac Constellations with the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies at Hallam Lake. 8 p.m. http://www.aspennature.org

Ongoing: The Little Nell's Stargazing Tours. http://www.thelittlenell.com