We will have a front row seat to something that hasn’t happened in Ohio since 1806, and won’t experience again until 2099: complete darkness for four minutes in the middle of the afternoon due to a total solar eclipse.
Cleveland will experience totality between 3:13 p.m. and 3:17 p.m., and you’d better savor it — the next total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous United States is 20 years away, on Aug. 23, 2044.
“This awe-inspiring event is going to be a great way for Northeast Ohio citizens and visitors to engage in NASA science with us,” says Jacqueline Minerd, public affairs officer at NASA’s Glenn Research Center, adding Cleveland is one of the largest major cities in the path of totality and the only city in the path of totality with a NASA center and visitor center. “We are counting down the days until this once-in-a-lifetime celestial opportunity.”
What is a solar eclipse — and what’s different about this one?
According to the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, a solar eclipse, which happens more frequently, occurs when the moon casts its shadow on Earth as it passes between the Earth and sun. A total solar eclipse, on the other hand, occurs when the moon appears to obscure the sun briefly and totally.
How rare are total solar eclipses? The Ohio EMA says one happens somewhere on Earth once every 18 months, but only 21 total solar eclipses have crossed the lower 48 states in the United States’ entire existence. The most recent total solar eclipse that occurred in the United States, in 2017, was visible starting in the Pacific Northwest, moving southeast through the Central Plains and eventually the Carolinas.
What should I plan for?
Past eclipse and total eclipse observers like Michael Zeiler, author of greatamericaneclipse.com, says eclipse watchers should plan for some disruption if the weather cooperates and crowds swell.
If you’ve ever been to a large concert, or a Guardians Opening Day, you know that cell service can become an issue. Observers and experts suggest ensuring a communication plan with loved ones or fellow eclipse watchers should cell service lag where they’re observing the event.
Additionally, past total eclipses have led to traffic snarls due to large crowds; in 2017, reports of massive traffic delays impacting highways and other roads alike in southern Illinois, for example. Downtown Cleveland, then, with eclipse-related events coupled with the Guardians’ 2024 home opener and regular rush hour traffic, could similarly be impacted.
How can I watch safely?
NASA recommends viewing the eclipse with eclipse glasses or a hand-held solar viewer during the partial eclipse phases before and after totality. There is a brief period — the totality phase — where eclipse glasses are not necessary, NASA says.
“You’ll know it’s safe when you can no longer see any part of the sun through eclipse glasses or a solar viewer,” the administration says. As soon as you see any of the sun reappear, though, NASA recommends putting those glasses back on.
Speaking of those glasses: NASA and other agencies recommend safe solar viewers, which are thousands of times darker than regular sunglasses and which should comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard. (eclipseglasses.com is a good source for more information on safe solar viewers, and Northeast Ohio Parent found a five pack of glasses that meet NASA’s recommended requirements for $15 on amazon.com.)
If using a camera or binoculars, experts say to ditch the safe solar viewers and use special solar viewers. And if you don’t have any glasses? NASA recommends using an indirect viewing method, which eliminates direct viewing of the sun. One way, NASA says, to do so is with a pinhole projector, whose small opening projects an image of the sun onto a nearby surface. Check out the NASA Goddard YouTube page for a quick, kid-friendly tutorial on how to make your own with a cardboard box and aluminum foil.
Another option for those without glasses: Watch live online, as Minerd says Cleveland was selected as a main NASA TV broadcast location for the eclipse. NASA will broadcast live from Cleveland from 1-4 p.m. on April 8.
Eye Safety for Total Solar Eclipse
View the sun through eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer during the partial eclipse phases before and after totality.
You can view the eclipse directly without proper eye protection only when the Moon completely obscures the sun’s bright face – during the brief and spectacular period known as totality. (You’ll know it’s safe when you can no longer see any part of the sun through eclipse glasses or a solar viewer.)
As soon as you see even a little bit of the bright sun reappear after totality, immediately put your eclipse glasses back on or use a handheld solar viewer to look at the sun. —science.nasa.gov
Watch Parties and Eclipse Events to Attend in Northeast Ohio
April 4
Solar eclipse party. Get ready for the big day with a space-themed craft, view a NASA simulation and pick up your own pair of glasses. 2-3:30 p.m., Norton Branch of Akron-Summit County Public Library, 3930 South Cleveland Massillon Road. akronlibrary.org
April 5-8
Kent Total Eclipse 2024. Family-friendly events over the weekend-long celebration include interactive NASA Citizen Science projects, educational talks, eclipse inspired art displays, science workshops, a laser light show, live music, awe-inspiring planetarium shows, a 5K run, and “best viewing places.” kenteclipse2024.com
April 6-8
NASA Glenn and Great Lakes Science Center Total Eclipse Fest 2024. This three-day, family-friendly celestial celebration at North Coast Harbor in downtown Cleveland features a free community concert performance by The Cleveland Orchestra on Sunday, April 7, food vendors, entertainment and free eclipse viewing glasses (while supplies last). 1050 E. 9th St., Cleveland. greatscience.com
April 8
Beck Center for the Arts Free Eclipse Event. Enjoy food, live music, arts experiences, community murals and more, starting at 1 p.m. Part of Great Lakes Science Center’s Community Eclipse Ambassadors. 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood. RSVP at beckcenter.org.
Akron Art Museum’s “The Sun, The Moon and the Art.” Festivities begin at 11 a.m., and attendees will be treated to a curated collection of eclipse- and solar-themed art, featuring works that capture the beauty and mystique of celestial phenomena. Live DJs and pop-ups also will be on site, as will specially crafted refreshments. One South High, Akron. akronartmuseum.org
Total Eclipse of the Arboretum. Event features food trucks, activities and plenty of space to take in the eclipse. Eclipse event tickets include glasses, admission to the Arboretum, DJ and access to onsite food trucks. A limited number of tickets will be available and we anticipate they will sell out quickly.10 a.m.-5 p.m., 9500 Sperry Road, Willougby. holdenfg.org
Eclipse at Great Wolf Lodge. Great Wolf will host an out-of-this-world outdoor watch party with themed music, dances, crafts and more celestial fun for the whole family. All partygoers will receive complimentary Great Wolf eclipse glasses and specialty wolf ears. 4600 Milan Road, Sandusky. greatwolf.com
Eclipse Festival at Spire. Play on Spire’s soccer field and basketball court and enjoy shows by Jungle Terry, a lunch buffet, beer and wine garden, bouncy houses, live music, free-throw competition, big-screen movie, vendor market and merchandise. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 5201 Spire Circle, Geneva. spireacademy.com
Total Eclipse of the Zoo. Fun activities will be available throughout the zoo, leading up to the eclipse. The partial eclipse begins at 1:59 p.m. and lasts through 4:29 p.m., with totality at the Akron Zoo occurring from 3:13 – 3:17 p.m. Eclipse glasses will be provided for all guests. Akron Zoo. akronzoo.org/total-eclipse-zoo
Total Eclipse of the Arts. Come out and enjoy an art-inspired eclipse viewing party! Fairmount Center for the Arts will be offering an array of family-friendly art, music, dance and theater activities inspired by the eclipse. Free admission, reservations requested. Fairmount Center for the Arts. fairmountcenter.org
