Parking in the Shadows of a Total Eclipse: Some Predictive Steps Towards a Safer View of the State of Ohio and Beyond
A total solar eclipse is visible Monday, when the moon crosses directly in front of the sun. For those in the path of totality, there will be a few brief moments when the moon completely covers the sun and the world becomes dark.
If you do find yourself in a situation where you need to pull over to the side of the road, the state warns that you shouldn’t. It’s important to be parked legally and safely at the moment of totality.
A total eclipse occurs when the moon blocks the sun’s light. The temperature gets cooler. Stars come out. The colors are beautiful. The sun has become a void in the sky with the glowing corona behind it.
A partial eclipse, while still a fun experience, is hardly as dramatic. Those with a view of the partial eclipse will see crescent-shaped shadows like those seen here in 2017.
If you plan to look at the eclipse, you’re going to have to wear eclipse glasses since you don’t know if you’ll get proper protection. can be harmful to your eyes.
If you don’t have access to eclipse glasses, you can make crafts with items around the house. Here’s more about that.
In Indiana. A huge portion of the state will be within the path of totality, giving cities across Indiana, including Bloomington and Indianapolis, prime viewing of the eclipse.
The state of Ohio. The Buckeye State is getting bisected by this year’s path of totality, plunging a number of the state’s most populous areas into darkness for a few minutes on Monday.
The views from the lakeside in Erie will be particularly eye-pleasing when viewing totality in Pennsylvania. WESA has more from across the region.
Several major metropolitan areas including Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland and Buffalo are already inside the path of totality, so there’s no need to seek a better view, Upchurch says. You’ll probably have the most fun simply staying where you are.
Pre-eclipse planning for the 2019 Indianapolis International Linear Optical Telescope, NPR Network, April 8 to 2024
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.
You can make use of other forms of creative expression if you’re not good at capturing the moment visually. Linda Neal Reising will be the official poet of Indiana for this year’s eclipse.
David Baron shared with Life Kit that viewing totality is like you’ve left the solar system and are looking at something else. So consider focusing on being present in the moment to enjoy the celestial spectacle.
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. There are resources compiled by Emily Alfin Johnson.
Millions of Americans will hit the road on April 8 in a bid to get a better view. If you want to make the journey but still don’t know, here are the things to consider.
Once you figure out where you’re going to watch the eclipse, and you’ve got your supplies, try to get there early. Although traffic is likely to be heavier than normal on the morning of eclipse day, it still should be possible to reach many destinations without too much hassle, says Upchurch.
Despite studying the potential hassles of traveling extensively, Upchurch says he’s still looking forward to seeing the 2024 eclipse, which he plans to watch from Texas.
“Leaving is definitely going to be more of a problem,” he says. As the eclipse concludes, people will take to the roads all at once to try and get home as fast as they can. The traffic jams took many hours in some areas. If possible, Upchurch says, people should stay put for a while to try and avoid the worst of the post-eclipse rush, which in 2017 stretched even into the following day in some parts of the country.
“Because of that, we have to make sure we’re taking what we need into the path of totality.” You should make sure your car is gassed or charged up, and that you have plenty of snacks and water with you in case you get stranded for a while, especially when trying to leave.
When the sun is completely blocked by the moon you must use eclipse glasses that you wear whenever you look at 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.
“If you are within about 40 miles of the center line, you will have about two and a half minutes of totality,” Upchurch says. It’s up to you to decide whether it’s worth making the trip to a more central location.