Eclipse Mania is in full swing. With that in mind, it’s time to dissect what the rare event means for residents of Champaign-Urbana.
First things first: The solar eclipse, slated for April 8, is the first since 2017 and the last until 2045. It begins at approximately 12:47 p.m. and reaches its maximum point at 2:05 p.m. Champaign-Urbana is not in the path of what’s called “totality,” wherein the moon completely covers the sun to the naked eye. To experience totality, you’ll need to drive a couple hours to the east or a little longer to the south. Here’s the path of totality, which encompasses 13 states. The closer you are to the center of the path, the longer the eclipse will last.
However, C-U will experience about 98 percent coverage of the sun, according to Erik Johnson, director of Staerkel Planetarium at Parkland College.
If you’re looking for an excellent primer on what to expect early in the afternoon of April 8, check out the Totality show at Staerkel. It is showing on Friday nights and Saturday afternoons until the big event.
Regardless of where you plan to view the eclipse, the most important point is this: Do not look directly at the eclipse without using specially designed glasses. According to NASA, “Except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s bright face, it is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing. Viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.” (For more on eye safety, go here.)
If you have old glasses from the ’17 eclipse and they remain undamaged, use them. If you need new glasses, Parkland is selling them for $2.50. Be advised that glasses can be hard to find the closer you get to April 8. If you need glasses, you’re advised to find a source immediately.
If you plan to travel, you have numerous options. Here are a few ideas, which include events in the line of totality in Carbondale and Indianapolis. (The event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway seems especially cool.) Keep in mind, travel in the path of totality is likely to be heavy on April 8. If you’re traveling in the vicinity of that day and plan to lodge in that area, remember that it is likely to be scarce or expensive.
Johnson said he’ll be traveling with the Champaign-Urbana Astronomical Society, which is heading to an event in Olney.
“I know the University of Illinois astronomy department is heading out to Terre Haute (Ind.), which is in the path as well,” Johnson said. “Indianapolis is in the path of totality. It’s not traveling as far south as we had to in 2017.”
If you’re staying in the C-U area, you’ll also have options. Some events:
–Visit Allerton Park in Monticello. Bring a lunch and make an afternoon of it. Suggested donation is $5. Details here.
–The Urbana Free Library is having a viewing party. Eclipse glasses will be available while supplies last. Details here. The Champaign Public Library, Mahomet Public Library and Tolono Public Library are also having celebrations.
–The Parkland Learning Commons will be hosting an event for students, but the public is welcome to come to Parkland to view the eclipse, and glasses are available to everyone until they run out.
Wherever you watch, the fascination of a solar eclipse will be evident. There’s far more going on that meets the naked eye.
“The other cool thing to experience is that there’s more going on other than just looking at the sun that day,” Johnson said. “Part of the (Totality) show we share with the public, mostly during our live segments, is we talk about what happens around the sun at that time. There’s more going on during an eclipse than just the sun. It’s how everything is affected by it. It’s not just humans that observe eclipses. The animals around us will also respond to what’s happening.”
Oh, and one more thing: Hope for a cloudless day!