Expert tips for enjoying the magic of total solar eclipse
What we hope to experience on April 8 in our area is a truly magical and wondrous event: a total solar eclipse. A partial solar eclipse doesn’t come close to the beauty of totality.
My husband Brian and I are eclipse chasers. We have traveled all over the world to view these amazing events, and each adventure has been a success, although some were nail-biters waiting for the clouds to clear.
We have seen them in Hawaii, Canada, Venezuela, Germany, Zambia, Egypt, Russia, China, Marquesas Islands, Australia, Gabon, Indonesia, Tennessee and Argentina. We do not take photos except for a quick “I was there” shot on an iPhone. Others with experience and proper equipment to protect it take great photos. We just want to enjoy the beauty of the eclipse.
So, we know a bit about what to look for and do. Eclipse glasses are a must for the partial phases, the time when the moon takes its first bite out of the sun (first contact) until totality (second contact) and the time when it first leaves the sun (third contact) after totality until the moon has completely stopped blocking any of the sun (fourth contact). Before and after totality, which takes an hour or more, you won’t watch continually, unless you like watching grass grow. Take your eclipse glasses off when totality hits and enjoy the spectacular sight.
Deciding where to go can be tricky. The longest totality takes place along the center line of a swath that is 124 miles wide. There are websites that can show you the map. Just be sure to be within that swath or you will not see totality. Be prepared for traffic jams if you venture from your home.
The weather, of course, plays a big part in the decision. Watch the weather reports in advance and make a plan, and a backup plan, for where to go if it looks like it will be cloudy. Gas up, bring snacks and lawn chairs and find an area with bathrooms, or just look up at home if you’re okay with having less-than-maximum totality time and are within that swatch of totality. In Beavercreek, where I live, totality will last 2 minutes and 12 seconds, but on the center line in Minster it will be 3 minutes and 58 seconds. Our area is not the first choice for viewing weather-wise, so it may not be as jammed as officials expect.
For the partial phases, bring a white sheet and a colander. It’s fun to see the sun peeking through the little holes and see the little crescents they make. Look for shadow bands, thin, wavy lines of alternating light and dark that move, although they’re not always seen. Just before totality (and immediately after), when the moon almost entirely covers the sun, you’ll see a final bright spot — the “diamond ring effect.”
During totality, roosters may crow, birds may fly around crazily, and people will be hollering. It will be dark — literally the difference between night and day. You’ll also be able to see the corona and solar flares.
Kelly Korreck, NASA program manager for the 2024 total solar eclipse, notes, “The most obvious feature will probably be the presence of streamers, or bright streaks emanating from the sun.” And it’s yours to watch for free.