On Monday, April 8, 2024, a historic total solar eclipse will be visible in parts of Illinois. This astronomical event has taken over numerous headlines as many plan to travel to see this once-in-a-lifetime event.
A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, completely blocking out the sun. This rare phenomenon will not be visible in the U.S. again until 2044, and the next visible total solar eclipse in Illinois will not be for almost 100 years.
Totality in Illinois only lasts a few minutes, entering the state at 1:58 p.m. and exiting at 2:06 p.m. However, the partial eclipse can be viewed starting a little before 1 p.m. and lasting about 2 hours.
While Champaign county is not in the path of totality, the moon will still cover 97.9 percent of the sun in Champaign. Those who are not able to travel can attend one of the many events in Champaign for a significant view of this rare sighting.
Parkland College will be hosting their own partial solar eclipse viewing party on Monday, April 8 in the Learning Commons from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., offering free solar eclipse glasses as well as snacks, drinks and fun activities. They will also have a telescope for eclipse viewing courtesy of the planetarium staff. The event is open to the public and boasts a prime balcony viewing spot, so take advantage of this fun-filled event if you are on campus.
The Champaign Public Library will also be hosting an event in the library parking lot. It will run from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and feature a set from DJ Silkee.
Solar eclipse glasses are an absolute must for viewers to prevent eye injury and permanent blindness. Be sure to get yours early as the demand increases the closer we get to the event. Equivalent to Parkland, the Champaign Public Library will also be giving out free solar eclipse glasses to residents starting Monday, April 1 through Saturday, April 6 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. They recommend getting there early as lines will form outside and glasses will only be available until supplies last.
Each person can claim up to 10 free glasses, and any remaining glasses will be given out Sunday, April 7 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. To avoid the line that forms, the Champaign Public Library staff recommends going to the Douglass Branch for free glasses as another option.
Another alternative is to purchase a pair at the William M. Staerkel Planetarium for $2.50. They will be available in the gift shop during public shows or by request on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but it is asked that you call ahead if you are coming from far away to be sure staff will be there to assist you.
The planetarium will be closed on Monday, April 8, as staff will be traveling to view the total solar eclipse. Erik Johnson, director of the William M. Staerkel Planetarium, gives his insight on what to expect and how the planetarium has been preparing for the big day. He describes the eclipse as “the biggest astronomical event to look at for yourself.” He also explains that the biggest difference between partial solar eclipses–which are more common–and total eclipses is when a total solar eclipse occurs, “weird stuff starts to happen”.
Some of the things Johnson mentions to look out for is your shadow changing on the ground, going from fuzzy around the edges to a lot sharper. The sky will also change color from sky blue to a deeper blue due to less light in the atmosphere. Insects, birds, and animals will start to behave as if it is sunset and start preparing for the night with different noises and behaviors.
The temperature will also drop. During the 2017 total solar eclipse, the temperature was 95 degrees minutes before totality. At the time of totality, the temperature dropped to just 20 degrees.
We will also see things in the sky we would not be able to see otherwise. Erik Johnson recalls being able to see Venus minutes before totality during the 2017 total eclipse, even with the sun only partially covered. Jupiter also may be visible, but it is not guaranteed. You will, however, be able to see select bright stars in the sky.
When totality is reached, it will become significantly darker. “Once the last bit of direct sunlight is gone, the brightest thing in the sky is now the outermost layer of the sun’s atmosphere.” The corona of the sun, or the visible outer layer, is only as bright as the full moon, so viewers can expect a dark sky.
Erik Johnson says the total eclipse “is the only time we will be able to see the corona with our own eyes without using special telescopes and filters.”
Historically, the total eclipse has captivated attention. “Before we were able to start predicting these things, this was the event that stopped battles. When the sun got covered in the sky, there were people who were in combat who stopped fighting.” When compared to our understanding of eclipses today, the fact we are able to predict total solar eclipses decades and centuries in advance shows how our scientific understanding has advanced tremendously over the years.
It is rare for the path of totality to come through the U.S., and even more rare for it to come so close to home; so, when deciding whether or not to make viewing plans, Johnson chimes in: “Whether or not you have interest in astronomy, you’re going to be noticing this. You can not ignore it.”
Leading up to the event, the planetarium has been running “Totality,” a show geared towards people of all ages who are looking to learn more about how eclipses happen, the history of eclipses, and how to observe safely. The final shows before the eclipse will be Friday, April 5, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, April 6, at 2 p.m.
