What to look out for during Monday’s solar eclipse
What Happens When the Sun Gets Dark: Observing the State’s Northeastern Eclipse with the St. Louis Public Radio and National Solar Observatory
Missouri The southeastern corner of the state will be in the path of totality, crossing across towns like Whitewater and Ste. Genevieve. You can get local coverage and resources at St. Louis Public Radio. Illinois Carbondale seems to have won the eclipse lottery, being in the path of totality both in 2017 and for this year’s eclipse. Illinois Public Media has a lot of resources from across the state.
In terms of weather, check not just the weather forecast, but also the cloud cover forecast. Some websites, such as Windy.com will predict cloud cover ahead of time, giving you a sense of whether you’ll actually be able to see the eclipse in all its glory.
Neil Greenfieldboyce of NPR explained that during a total eclipse, the sky darkened suddenly and dramatically. The temperature goes down. People come out. The colors are beautiful around the horizon. And the once-familiar sun becomes a black void in the sky surrounded by the glowing corona — that’s the ghostly white ring that is the sun’s atmosphere.”
A partial eclipse is still fun, but it is less dramatic than a full eclipse. The shadows are crescent-shaped and can be seen with a partial eclipse view.
If you are going to look directly at the sun during the eclipse, you need eclipse glasses because traditional sunglasses don’t count. can be harmful to your eyes.
If you don’t have access to eclipse glasses, you can get crafty with things you have around the house (like some of us did back in 2017!) Here you will find more on that.
There are several interactive tools that show the path of totality, including Eclipse2024.org and the National Solar Observatory. They’re able to figure out what sites might work best for you.
Ohio The state’s most populated areas will be plunged into darkness for a few minutes on Monday as a result of this year’s path of totality.
You can see a gorgeous view from the lakeside in Erie if you look in the northwestern-most corner of the state. WESA has more from across the region.
There is no need to look for a better view, as several metropolitan areas including Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland and Buffalo are already inside the path of totality. Staying where you are is probably the most fun you can have.
What to do in advance of the April 8 eclipse to view totality with the National Radio Radio Station Network (NPR Network) — An introduction by Jonathan Upchurch and Emily Alfin Johnson
With the ease of cell photography, it can be tempting to reach for your phone to document the eclipse and the moments of totality, but make sure to do so safely.
Or if you’re not inclined to capture the moment visually, you lean into some other forms of creative expression. Indiana, for example, has named Linda Neal Reising the official poet in the state for this year’s eclipse.
As former NPR reporter and eclipse superfan David Baron shared with Life Kit, viewing totality “[is] like you’ve left the solar system and are looking back from some other world.” So if you’re present in the moment then you can enjoy it.
NPR will be sharing highlights here from across the NPR Network throughout the day Monday if you’re unable to get out and see it in real time. These are the resources compiled by Emily Alfin Johnson.
That could mean many millions of Americans will hit the road to get a better view on April 8. If you’re still pondering whether or not you want to make the journey, here’s what to consider.
It’s a good idea to scout out one or more locations within driving distance, so that you have some flexibility if traffic or weather is threatening your plans, says Jonathan Upchurch, a professor emeritus of civil engineering at Arizona State University who has studied travel around solar eclipses.
During the total solar eclipse in 2017, Upchurch says he chose to go to Idaho “because there were some great chances of having sunny skies, and I had the opportunity to be nimble and relocate if I wanted to.”
Leaving will be more of a problem, he says. People will take to the roads at once to try and get home as soon as possible after the eclipse. In 2017, that led to traffic jams that lasted many hours in some areas. Upchurch says people should stay put for a while to try and avoid the worst of the post-eclipse rush.
Given all that, Upchurch says it’s important to make sure you’re taking what you need into the path of totality. You need to make sure your car is gassed or charged up so you can get out, as well as have plenty of snacks and water with you in case you get stranded for a while.
If you want to look at the sun during the eclipse, you need to wear eclipse glasses, but they will only work when the moon is not blocking the sun.
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Some state emergency planners also recommend bringing a paper map or road atlas in case cellular networks become overloaded with visitors seeking directions from their phones.
Upchurch says that if you are in the vicinity of the center line, you’ll have two-and-a-half minutes or more of totality. It’s your decision whether it’s worth going to a more central location.
Ahead of the April 8 solar eclipse, former NPR reporter and eclipse superfan David Baron shared with Life Kit, viewing totality “[is] like you’ve left the solar system and are looking back from some other world.” He added, “If you’re present in the moment…then you can enjoy it. It’s a good idea to scout out one or more locations within driving distance.”