The last major solar eclipse anyone can recall occurred in 2017.  As luck would have it, the northern part of Ohio will have an astonishing view of the next upcoming solar eclipse in 2024. 

The annular Solar eclipse happened on October 14th.  Unfortunately, Ohio wasn’t able to see the famous ‘Ring of Fire’ like Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Southern Texas were able to.  Ohio could only witness about 40% of the Solar eclipse.  It started around 11:45 A.M and lasted for about two hours.  The peak of the eclipse occurred at 1:00 P.M.

The next eclipse in April of next year will be able to be seen from three different countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. “Great North American Eclipse” it is being called. During this event, a couple of cities in the U.S. are going to experience a moment of total darkness as the moon blocks the sun.  

Solar eclipses are relatively rare, with the Earth usually having a solar eclipse every year and a half, the last time Ohio saw a total eclipse was in 1806 when it was in the pathway for one.  However, April 8, 2024, is the next time Ohio will be able to see the “Ring of Fire” when the moon blocks out almost the whole sun except the outline of the sun which creates a ring of light around the moon. It is a spectacular event for everyone to see for the first time in 200 years.  After this total eclipse, the next time one visible eclipse from Ohio will be in 2444. 

If you do plan to go see the eclipse next year, early planning is essential.  Hotels and campgrounds tend to get full fast.  And get ready for traffic everywhere towards the Northern part of Ohio. Plan to go early to beat traffic so you are not stuck on the road for long. Arriving early will help you avoid roadblocks during the eclipse.

As magnificent as this solar eclipse will be, it is important to remember not to look at the sun directly because it can severely damage your eyes, like retinal burns. To safely view the solar eclipse, there are special eclipse glasses everyone can purchase to be able to see the Solar eclipse happening in prime time.  They are not like regular sunglasses, the glasses need to be ISO 12312-2 to meet the international safety standard to be able to look into the sun without damage.

There are other ways to witness the eclipse without solar glasses.  Using the pinhole projector you poke a hole through a card or a piece of paper and then let the sunlight pass through the hole onto a flat surface to indirectly watch the eclipse.  If you do not plan to leave your house or are busy during this event, various news stations will be broadcasting the total solar eclipse, such as NASA TV and PBS NewsHour.

Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Start planning your eclipse experience today. Learn more about the path of totality, find the best viewing spots, and get ready to witness the ‘Ring of Fire’ in all its glory. Early planning is essential, to ensure you have the best possible experience.  You can find more information on NASA.gov and ohio.gov.