Thoughts on the Upcoming 2024 Eclipse
The last solar eclipse visible in our region fell on August 21, 2017. That doesn’t seem that long ago. In fact, in the same amount of time since our last eclipse, we will experience another – and it will be even more spectacular for viewing in Evansville!
A solar eclipse takes place when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun. This doesn't happen very often, and rarer still is the opportunity to experience a 100% eclipse. Prior to 2017, the most recent solar eclipse visible in the continental United States took place in 1979; and excluding the next one, the another eclipse after that won’t take place until 2045. The fact that the 2017 and 2024 eclipses are slightly under seven years apart is a gift for those living in this region.
If you remained in Evansville during the last eclipse, you saw the Moon obscure 99% of the Sun. Individuals had to travel beyond Evansville to see a total eclipse three years ago, something you won’t have to do for the next time around. On April 8, 2024 we will experience our very own 100% obscured, total solar eclipse.
We anticipate the total eclipse will last three minutes as the skies darken at approximately 2:00 PM. That the Moon and Sun will align on the afternoon of the planned date we are certain. Whether the sky will be sufficiently free of clouds to allow us to see the entirety of the event is uncertain. If clouds of the thicker variety were to interfere with the eclipse, we will not be able to view the outer portions of the Sun, normally invisible, which appear as a corona of pearly white surrounding our star. If the skies are clear, we will be able to see the brighter stars and planets become visible, and watch in awe as the sky becomes twilight in all directions.
As I write this and look out my window on a fine spring day, the sky is far from cloud-free. In fact, on the calendar date of the eclipse April 8, I made a point to look outside at the exact time that the eclipse will occur in Evansville in 2024. Unfortunately, it was cloudy. Historically, in our region, the month of April is not the best time of the year to have an astronomical event. According to the National Weather Service, six out of every ten days in April are cloudy.
Nevertheless, with less than 1% of North America lying along the path of totality, including the cities such Dallas, Evansville, Indianapolis and Cleveland, we are still the lucky ones. We are excited to begin planning for programs to educate about the upcoming total solar eclipse! It will be here before we know it!