The Indy guide to eclipse viewing

Feel like you’re drowning in eclipse information? We put together this list of resources so you can make the most of the event.

• What: The last solar eclipse in Ohio until 2099
• Where: Total in parts of central and western Ohio; partial in Athens County
• When: In Athens County, the eclipse will start at 1:56 p.m. EDT on Monday April 8, reaching maximum at 3:13 p.m. and end at 4:27 p.m.

Be prepared

• Watch the Weather Prediction Center’s website for updates on expected cloud cover. Look for “Latest Key Messages for 2024 Solar Eclipse” under “WPC Top Stories.” Ryan Fogt, director of the Scalia Lab at Ohio University, said forecasts will be more reliable by the weekend. 
• If you’re traveling to get into the path of totality, check the eclipse traffic forecast map from the Ohio Department of Transportation.
• Learn about eclipse safety from the Ohio Department of Health and NASA.
• The American Red Cross advises travelers to keep their cars fueled up and pack an emergency kit in case of traffic jams or overbooked hotels

Watch safely

How to view a total solar eclipse without damaging your eyes

• At time of publication, eclipse viewing glasses were available at local Kroger stores, Lowe’s and Menard’s. On Wednesday afternoon, Athens County Public Libraries said it had a limited number of glasses to distribute on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Check the American Astronomical Society’s list of reputable manufacturers to be sure your glasses aren’t counterfeit. The society also has safety tips for checking your glasses’ effectiveness and using them wisely.
• Don’t throw your glasses away after the eclipse! Take them to any branch of the Athens County Public Libraries — the Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District will collect the glasses after May 1. Any glasses that remain safe to use will be shipped to Astronomers Without Borders for reuse in Africa, Asia, North and South America. Those that can’t be reused will be recycled as much as possible.
• You may have heard that welding glasses are an alternative to eclipse glasses. In 2017, NASA said that welders glasses are acceptable IF they are shade 12 or higher. If your glasses have a lower shade rating, or you can’t find the shade rating, don’t use them to watch the eclipse.
• Instead of wearing glasses, you can make a pinhole projector to watch the eclipse following these instructions from NASA or a detailed tutorial from Live Science.
• Don’t want to travel or mess with glasses or crafts? NASA will have a live broadcast featuring agency experts, as well as live feeds of the eclipse on NASA+, YouTube (in both English and Spanish), Facebook and Twitch.

Looking to photograph a solar eclipse with your smartphone?

Things to do

• Towns and organizations in the eclipse path have planned all kinds of eclipse-themed exhibits, tours and events. See what’s happening where you’re headed on the Ohio Department of Tourism’s website.

• The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has prepared a downloadable field guide for watching wildlife during the eclipse. Citizen scientists can submit observations of wildlife during the eclipse through ODNR’s iNaturalist program.

• State parks in the path of totality are offering LightSound technology to help Ohioans who are blind or have low vision experience the eclipse. ODNR has posted a table showing when the eclipse will start and how long it will last and different Ohio state parks.

This story was updated April 4 to include information about recycling eclipse glasses.

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