Science / Medicine : Hawaii, Baja Brace for Eclipse Spectators

More than 100,000 spectators are expected to descend upon the prime viewing areas in Hawaii and Baja California to watch as the moon’s shadow races across the world Thursday. Most hotels in Hawaii have been booked for more than a year and officials are expected to close the highway leading to the southern tip of Baja.

So many people are expected to try to drive down the peninsula to see the eclipse that Mexican authorities are expected to turn away anyone without proof of accommodations.

Baja is expected to be particularly busy because that could be the best place to see the eclipse. Unlike Los Angles, Baja will experience a total eclipse--lasting more than six minutes.

The Kona Coast of the island of Hawaii should rival Baja, although the eclipse will be about two minutes shorter there. Again, getting there could be a problem--airlines are booked solid.

A sampling of local eclipse events:

* The Griffith Observatory’s current planetarium program, “Moonshadows,” profiles eclipses on Earth and elsewhere in the solar system, through July 14. Viewing cards that allow spectators to see the eclipse without risking eye injury also are available for purchase from the observatory shop. For program information call (213) 664-1191.

* Mt. Wilson Observatory, in the San Gabriel Mountains, will set up equipment for the public to view the eclipse. Gates open at 10 a.m. After the eclipse, there will be a tour of the observatory grounds, which did not suffer significant damage during the recent earthquake.

* In Santa Barbara, about two-thirds of the sun will be obscured. The Astronomical Unit of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Santa Barbara City College will have telescopes with special solar filters set up at the museum for viewing the eclipse. There will also be a video display and special viewing glasses available. Call (805) 682-3224.

* If you are unable to see the eclipse on Thursday, the Reuben H. Fleet Space Theater and Science Center in San Diego’s Balboa Park has scheduled “Solar Eclipse ‘91: An Epilogue,” detailing images and experiences of the eclipse as seen from Hawaii, Mexico and San Diego. The program will be given at 7:30 p.m. July 30. For more information, call (619) 238-1233.

SCIENCE FOR FAMILIES

* Children and their families can learn about nature from observing birds, plants and animals in a half-day class offered by Earth Skills on Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. in the Santa Monica Mountains. Call (213) 833-4249.

* Kids can dig for and keep bone fragments, estimated to be 10 million to 15 million years old, in a Whales Tales class taught by paleontologist Eric Scott at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. Call (213) 744-3335 or 744-3534.