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Solar Eclipse
Solar Eclipse
Image courtesy NASA.
Image courtesy NASA/SVS.
Image courtesy Middlebury/Mittelman/Kemp.
A solar eclipse will happen in the skies above Wellesley on the afternoon of Monday, April 8, 2024. Although this will be a total solar eclipse elsewhere, Wellesley will only experience a partial solar eclipse. The partial phase of the eclipse will begin at about 2:16pm, maximum partial eclipse will be about 3:29pm, and the partial phase of the eclipse will end at about 4:39pm.
A solar eclipse will happen in the skies above Wellesley on the afternoon of Monday, April 8, 2024. Although this will be a total solar eclipse elsewhere, Wellesley will only experience a partial solar eclipse. The partial phase of the eclipse will begin at about 2:16pm, maximum partial eclipse will be about 3:29pm, and the partial phase of the eclipse will end at about 4:39pm.
The maximum partial eclipse will be ~93% by both magnitude (diameter) and obscuration (area).
The maximum partial eclipse will be ~93% by both magnitude (diameter) and obscuration (area).
A solar eclipse happens when the earth passes through the moon’s shadow. Effectively, the moon is passing between the sun and the earth and the moon is blocking the sun’s light from reaching the earth.
A solar eclipse happens when the earth passes through the moon’s shadow. Effectively, the moon is passing between the sun and the earth and the moon is blocking the sun’s light from reaching the earth.
Solar eclipses are not safe to view without proper training and equipment. One should never look at the sun with the naked, unaided eye, with binoculars, or with a telescope without a filter specifically designed to block almost all of the sun’s light. Looking at the sun even momentarily can cause severe and permanent eye injury.
Solar eclipses are not safe to view without proper training and equipment. One should never look at the sun with the naked, unaided eye, with binoculars, or with a telescope without a filter specifically designed to block almost all of the sun’s light. Looking at the sun even momentarily can cause severe and permanent eye injury.
The next partial solar eclipse happening in the skies above Wellesley will be on the morning of Saturday, March 29, 2025.
The next partial solar eclipse happening in the skies above Wellesley will be on the morning of Saturday, March 29, 2025.
The next total solar eclipse broadly visible from much of the continental United States will be on the afternoon of Saturday, August 12, 2045, although it will only be a partial solar eclipse for Wellesley.
The next total solar eclipse broadly visible from much of the continental United States will be on the afternoon of Saturday, August 12, 2045, although it will only be a partial solar eclipse for Wellesley.
The next total solar eclipse happening in the skies above Wellesley will be on the morning of Monday, May 1, 2079.
The next total solar eclipse happening in the skies above Wellesley will be on the morning of Monday, May 1, 2079.
Preparation & Safety
Preparation & Safety
Local Events
Local Events
Community Events (in and around Wellesley, periodically updated)
Community Events (in and around Wellesley, periodically updated)
Please note that select local public libraries may have eclipse glasses
Please note that select local public libraries may have eclipse glasses
or other viewing devices available for their local library patrons.
or other viewing devices available for their local library patrons.
Internet Events
Internet Events
Mobile Phone Apps
Mobile Phone Apps
Eclipse Tips
Eclipse Tips
A solar eclipse will be visible across the United States on Monday, April 8, 2024, starting in Hawaii at 12:27 p.m. ET and concluding in Maine about four hours later at 4:41 p.m. ET.
A solar eclipse will be visible across the United States on Monday, April 8, 2024, starting in Hawaii at 12:27 p.m. ET and concluding in Maine about four hours later at 4:41 p.m. ET.
The path of totality — a 110-mile-wide band across the country where viewers will experience a total solar eclipse — will stretch from Texas to Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. The majority of the nation will experience a partial eclipse of the Sun, and for viewers in Massachusetts the Sun will be about 90 percent obscured by the Moon.
The path of totality — a 110-mile-wide band across the country where viewers will experience a total solar eclipse — will stretch from Texas to Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. The majority of the nation will experience a partial eclipse of the Sun, and for viewers in Massachusetts the Sun will be about 90 percent obscured by the Moon.
Jonathan Kemp, the Observatory Manager at Wellesley’s Whitin Observatory, said viewers in the path of totality “can have an awe-inspiring experience, weather permitting of course. The skies can dim and change color, the atmospheric temperature can cool slightly, animal behavior and sounds may change, and planets and bright stars may become visible for a few minutes.”
Jonathan Kemp, the Observatory Manager at Wellesley’s Whitin Observatory, said viewers in the path of totality “can have an awe-inspiring experience, weather permitting of course. The skies can dim and change color, the atmospheric temperature can cool slightly, animal behavior and sounds may change, and planets and bright stars may become visible for a few minutes.”
Astronomer Kemp, who spent 12 years operating the telescopes at observatories on Mauna Kea in Hawaii and 9 years managing a college observatory in Vermont before coming to Wellesley, answered questions about the upcoming April 8 solar eclipse.
Astronomer Kemp, who spent 12 years operating the telescopes at observatories on Mauna Kea in Hawaii and 9 years managing a college observatory in Vermont before coming to Wellesley, answered questions about the upcoming April 8 solar eclipse.
How does a solar eclipse occur?
How does a solar eclipse occur?
A solar eclipse happens when the Earth passes through the Moon’s shadow. Effectively, the Moon is passing between the Sun and the Earth, and the Moon is blocking the Sun’s light from reaching the Earth.
A solar eclipse happens when the Earth passes through the Moon’s shadow. Effectively, the Moon is passing between the Sun and the Earth, and the Moon is blocking the Sun’s light from reaching the Earth.
How rare is a total solar eclipse?
How rare is a total solar eclipse?
Total solar eclipses are not that rare. On average, they can happen every year and a half somewhere on Earth. However, for any specific location on Earth, a total solar eclipse may happen, on average, every four hundred years or so. The last coast-to-coast transcontinental total solar eclipse in the U.S. occurred in 2017, and the next coast-to-coast one after this year’s will be in 2045.
Total solar eclipses are not that rare. On average, they can happen every year and a half somewhere on Earth. However, for any specific location on Earth, a total solar eclipse may happen, on average, every four hundred years or so. The last coast-to-coast transcontinental total solar eclipse in the U.S. occurred in 2017, and the next coast-to-coast one after this year’s will be in 2045.
What about partial solar eclipses?
What about partial solar eclipses?
They are far more common. We in Massachusetts experience partial solar eclipses, like the one we will have this spring, every few years or so.
They are far more common. We in Massachusetts experience partial solar eclipses, like the one we will have this spring, every few years or so.
What are the safety considerations when viewing a solar eclipse?
What are the safety considerations when viewing a solar eclipse?
Solar eclipses are not safe to view without proper training and equipment. One should never look at the Sun with the naked, unaided eye, or with sunglasses, or with binoculars, or with a telescope without a filter specifically designed to block almost all of the Sun’s light. Looking at the Sun even momentarily can cause severe and permanent eye injury. With that in mind, following safety procedures can result in a memorable viewing experience. Solar eclipses are a unique spectacle not to be missed if you can identify a safe observing method and employ it accordingly.
Solar eclipses are not safe to view without proper training and equipment. One should never look at the Sun with the naked, unaided eye, or with sunglasses, or with binoculars, or with a telescope without a filter specifically designed to block almost all of the Sun’s light. Looking at the Sun even momentarily can cause severe and permanent eye injury. With that in mind, following safety procedures can result in a memorable viewing experience. Solar eclipses are a unique spectacle not to be missed if you can identify a safe observing method and employ it accordingly.
Okay, so how should people experience the eclipse if they can’t look directly at it?
Okay, so how should people experience the eclipse if they can’t look directly at it?
While experienced astronomers may use specialized solar filters on optical telescopes, casual eclipse viewers can consider a variety of more accessible methods, as long as they are done properly. So-called “eclipse glasses” are a popular direct-viewing method for individuals. The safest method, however, is indirect projection, such as projecting the eclipse onto the ground through a pinhole in a piece of cardboard. NASA and the American Astronomical Society have excellent web pages on eclipse safety.
While experienced astronomers may use specialized solar filters on optical telescopes, casual eclipse viewers can consider a variety of more accessible methods, as long as they are done properly. So-called “eclipse glasses” are a popular direct-viewing method for individuals. The safest method, however, is indirect projection, such as projecting the eclipse onto the ground through a pinhole in a piece of cardboard. NASA and the American Astronomical Society have excellent web pages on eclipse safety.
If a solar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes through the Moon’s shadow, then why don’t we see one every month?
If a solar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes through the Moon’s shadow, then why don’t we see one every month?
The answer has to do with the inclination of the Moon’s orbit around Earth and the resulting geometry. Consequently, the Earth does not pass through the Moon’s shadow every month.
The answer has to do with the inclination of the Moon’s orbit around Earth and the resulting geometry. Consequently, the Earth does not pass through the Moon’s shadow every month.
So, geometry is important?
So, geometry is important?
Most definitely. In fact, because of the unique details of our solar system’s geometry, we are able to enjoy a stunning variety of eclipses here on Earth. The Sun is roughly 400 times larger than the Moon, and the Sun is roughly 400 times farther from Earth, which means that the Sun and the Moon appear to be approximately the same angular size in the sky.
Most definitely. In fact, because of the unique details of our solar system’s geometry, we are able to enjoy a stunning variety of eclipses here on Earth. The Sun is roughly 400 times larger than the Moon, and the Sun is roughly 400 times farther from Earth, which means that the Sun and the Moon appear to be approximately the same angular size in the sky.
What can we expect to see in Massachusetts on April 8, and when will it occur?
What can we expect to see in Massachusetts on April 8, and when will it occur?
As the eclipse develops, the Moon will appear to gradually take a bite out of the Sun, so to speak. And since Massachusetts is south of the path of totality, the Moon will obscure the upper portion of the Sun. In Wellesley, this partial eclipse will begin at 2:16 p.m. and end at 4:39 p.m. The maximum partial eclipse here will be at 3:29 p.m., and the most pronounced views will be right around this time.
As the eclipse develops, the Moon will appear to gradually take a bite out of the Sun, so to speak. And since Massachusetts is south of the path of totality, the Moon will obscure the upper portion of the Sun. In Wellesley, this partial eclipse will begin at 2:16 p.m. and end at 4:39 p.m. The maximum partial eclipse here will be at 3:29 p.m., and the most pronounced views will be right around this time.
And what about the weather?
And what about the weather?
Cloudy or overcast skies can obscure one’s view of an eclipse. Based on historical data, the cloud cover in the western continental U.S. is likely to be less than it will be in the eastern continental U.S. As we get closer to April 8, meteorologists will be in a better position to forecast the weather.
Cloudy or overcast skies can obscure one’s view of an eclipse. Based on historical data, the cloud cover in the western continental U.S. is likely to be less than it will be in the eastern continental U.S. As we get closer to April 8, meteorologists will be in a better position to forecast the weather.
Any final thoughts about the eclipse?
Any final thoughts about the eclipse?
Yes. My greatest concern for the public is safety. Some things that people might think are safe to use when looking at an eclipse are, in fact, not safe. It is not safe to use sunglasses. It is not safe to use eclipse glasses in combination with a telescope. And it is never safe to look directly at the Sun. However, viewing a solar eclipse, and especially from within the path of totality, can be an amazing and transformative experience, and provide a memory that can last a lifetime. No matter the appropriate method, always remember to be safe and to know the correct equipment for the job, how to use that equipment, and how to inspect the equipment for safety. Each viewing method has its own best safety practices. That said, proper preparation and good weather can potentially result in an amazing eclipse viewing experience!
Yes. My greatest concern for the public is safety. Some things that people might think are safe to use when looking at an eclipse are, in fact, not safe. It is not safe to use sunglasses. It is not safe to use eclipse glasses in combination with a telescope. And it is never safe to look directly at the Sun. However, viewing a solar eclipse, and especially from within the path of totality, can be an amazing and transformative experience, and provide a memory that can last a lifetime. No matter the appropriate method, always remember to be safe and to know the correct equipment for the job, how to use that equipment, and how to inspect the equipment for safety. Each viewing method has its own best safety practices. That said, proper preparation and good weather can potentially result in an amazing eclipse viewing experience!
last updated 2024 Apr 7
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