What is a total solar eclipse? Here’s why the phenomenon is so rare.
What is a total solar eclipse? Here are some safety tips to know if you’re planning to see one.
It’s almost here.
The first solar eclipse to cross Ohio in more than 200 years will occur Monday afternoon and millions throughout the state are expected to pause and look up as the moon blocks out the sun.
In the path of totality, which runs just north of Columbus, the eclipse is expected to last approximately three minutes and 40 seconds.
The Dispatch and its sister publications will deploy reporters throughout Columbus and Ohio to bring readers the latest on this once-in-a-lifetime event.
With just hours until the eclipse crosses Ohio, here’s everything you need to know to prepare for it.
What time will the solar eclipse occur near me?
The total eclipse will last for only a few minutes, making it important to know exactly when to stop and look up toward the sky.
Although Columbus is just outside the path of totality, the city will still get to see roughly 99% of the total eclipse. The moon will begin to pass over the sun at 1:55 p.m. in Columbus and the eclipse is expected to peak at 3:12 p.m. in the capitol city with the moon moving past the sun by 4:26 p.m.
Cleveland, the largest Ohio city in the path of the eclipse, will experience the peak between 3:13 p.m. and 3:17 p.m., according to NASA.
Use the ZIP code tracker below to find out when the eclipse begins, ends and reaches a peak in your neighborhood.
What’s the weather looking like for the eclipse Monday?
Eclipse watching weather will vary throughout Ohio, with a chance of both sunshine and precipitation, according to the National Weather Service.
Columbus: Eclipse viewers in Columbus can expect partly sunny skies Monday and a high temperature near 70 degrees.
Wapakoneta: In the hometown of Neil Armstrong — the first man to step foot on the moon — eclipse watchers will be treated to mostly sunny skies during the daytime and a high temperature near 72 degrees.
Cleveland: Eclipse chasers in Cleveland can expect a 30% chance of showers before 9 a.m. But cloudy skies are expected to gradually become mostly sunny, with a high near 65 degrees.
Dayton: In the second-largest Ohio city in the path of totality, viewers can expect cloudy skies early, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 72 degrees.
How bad will traffic be for the solar eclipse?
Ohio may welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors for the eclipse on Monday.
Between 150,000 to 575,000 people could arrive in the Buckeye state to watch the total solar eclipse cast its shadow over Ohio. And visitors will likely head to all different areas of the state, with the 124-mile-wide path of totality crossing Ohio from the southwest corner to the northeastern edge.
In central Ohio and southwestern parts of the state, drivers may experience some gridlock in the morning, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.
But the biggest traffic backups could occur once the eclipse ends.
The heaviest flow of traffic is forecast to hit the roads in the afternoon, according to ODOT. Some of Ohio’s most major highways could be backed up for hours as people head home after the eclipse, the agency has said.
The worst of the highway congestion could occur in northwest Ohio between Toledo and Findlay, which is the closest viewing area for eclipse chasers from Michigan. Portions of Interstate 71 and Interstate 270 in the Columbus area may also experience backups, according to ODOT.
ODOT’s map of traffic forecasts for the solar eclipse is available online.
Are there any eclipse events in the Columbus area?
Solar-bration at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium
- 4850 W. Powell Road
- 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Included with zoo admission
- COSI will bring a hands-on activity and demonstrate how the moon blocks the sun during a solar eclipse. Columbus Recreation and Parks will host a trivia game centering around eclipse and conservation questions and Velvet Ice Cream will offer a special “SUNdae.”
COSI Solar Eclipse Experience 2024
- 333 W. Broad St.
- Free with tickets to COSI available for those who want to do more
- 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- COSI will offer hands-on educational STEAM demonstrations and activities, a live video stream of the eclipse in totality, free solar eclipse glasses and STEAM kits while supplies last.
Eclipse watch party at Land-Grant Brewing Co. with COSI
- 424 W. Town St.
- 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Land-Grant is hosting a watch party with free eclipse glasses and will have its beer collaboration with COSI, Black IPA, Totality available to drink on tap.
Columbus Metropolitan Library and COSI Solar Eclipse Watch Party
- 96 Grant Ave.
- 1 p.m. to 4:40 p.m.
- Families can take part in hands-on science activities and hear stories about space and the solar eclipse.
- Riverside Crossing Park, 6635 Riverside Drive, and Coffman Park, 5200 Emerald Parkway
- 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- A DJ and other entertainment will be available at each of these watch parties.
Under the Sun: Solar Eclipse Viewing
- The Dawes Arboretum, 7770 Jacksontown Road
- 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Hands-on activities will be available and representatives from the Newark Earthworks will be there to discuss the astronomy and Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets and solar eclipse viewers to use.