Why Do Eclipses Happen?

Eclipses occur on our planet when the Sun, Moon, and Earth line up. Exactly how they align determines what kind of eclipse we see. A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, blocking at least some of the Sun and casting a shadow on Earth. Solar eclipses only occur during the new moon, when the Moon and Sun are aligned on the same side of Earth (in other words, when the Moon is in the daytime sky). A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon completely blocks the face of the Sun. 

Want to learn more?  visit NASA at https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/geometry/

Described by NASA, the path of the eclipse continues from Mexico, entering the United States in Texas, and traveling through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. 

To see the eclipse in totality, the best places near WV:

Cleveland, Ohio

With a metro population of more than 2 million, this city will host a multitude of eclipse chasers. Get there a couple of days early, and fill the waiting time with visits to some of Cleveland’s highlights, including the Cleveland Museum of Arts and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Eclipse starts: 1:59:20 p.m. EDT
Eclipse ends: 4:28:57 p.m. EDT
Maximum eclipse: 3:15:37 p.m. EDT
Sun’s altitude at maximum eclipse: 48.6°
Duration of totality: 3 minutes 49 seconds
Width of Moon’s shadow: 111.9 miles (180.1 km)

Lima, Ohio

This small city of 36,000 is well positioned for viewing the eclipse and is just large enough to handle a moderate influx of visitors. For those who want the maximum possible length of totality, you’ll get 6 additional seconds if you drive south on Interstate 75 to Wapakoneta, and an extra second if you continue south to the center line.

Eclipse starts: 1:54:51 p.m. EDT
Eclipse ends: 4:26:01 p.m. EDT
Maximum eclipse: 3:11:43 p.m. EDT
Sun’s altitude at maximum eclipse: 50.8°
Duration of totality: 3 minutes 51 seconds
Width of Moon’s shadow: 113 miles (181.9 km)

Erie, Pennsylvania

The only large city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to be graced by the Moon’s umbra is Erie, which, with its 100,000 residents, sits on the shore of the Great Lake that bears its name. It’s certain that many eclipse chasers from Pittsburgh, 130 miles to the south via Interstate 79, will visit for the event.

Eclipse starts: 2:02:23 p.m. EDT
Eclipse ends: 4:30:48 p.m. EDT
Maximum eclipse: 3:18:12 p.m. EDT
Sun’s altitude at maximum eclipse: 47°
Duration of totality: 3 minutes 42 seconds
Width of Moon’s shadow: 111.2 miles (179 km)

Otherwise visit https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/where-when/   to see their table of cities. 

Morgantown WV

Local Type:

Partial Solar Eclipse in Morgantown, West Virginia

Begins:

Mon, Apr 8, 2024 at 2:00 pm

Maximum:

Mon, Apr 8, 2024 at 3:16 pm 0.947 Magnitude

Ends:

Mon, Apr 8, 2024 at 4:30 pm

Duration:

2 hours, 30 minutes

Exploratorium provides a guide to the 2024 Solar Eclipse that we are sharing with you! Find out where to be and what to do for the eclipse experience of a lifetime.

Step 1

Be ready.

On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will be visible in the continental United States. Glimpse the full glory of the Sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona, visible only when the Sun’s disc is completely covered by the moon.

Step 2

 Be on the path of totality.

To witness this incredible total solar eclipse, you will need to be within the 115-mile-wide path of totality. The path arches from Mexico to Texas to Maine. Unless you’re on that line—the path of totality—you’ll only see a partial eclipse. The difference between a total solar eclipse and a partial one is literally the difference between night and day, so get yourself into the path of totality if you can! The closer you are to the center of that path, the longer totality, the maximum point of the eclipse, will last.

The whole event will take about two and a half hours, but totality will only last about four minutes. Need more details? This Google Map, developed by Xavier Jubier, allows you to zoom into the eclipse path. Remember that the closer you are to the centerline (blue on the Google map) the longer totality will last. 

Step 3

Be (probably) not in your hometown.

Most towns in the US aren’t on the path. If you stay home, you’ll likely only see a partial eclipse. Make your travel plans early as hotels and campsites usually book up months in advance!

Step 4  

Be aware of the time.

The shadow of the moon goes through several time zones. Check the local time to ensure you don’t miss the total phase of the solar eclipse, which only lasts about four minutes. To determine the precise start time, end time, and duration of totality for your exact location on eclipse day, use this interactive eclipse map developed by timeanddate.com.

Step 5

Be where the Sun shines, until it doesn’t.

Find a sunny location along the path, or the clouds will hide the Sun before the moon does. According to predictions, your best bets for clear skies are in central Mexico and south-central Texas. Check out in-depth weather predictions from Eclipsophile.

Step 6

Be prepared.

You will need eclipse glasses to safely view the Sun. We also highly recommend that you gather up colanders, slotted spoons, or anything else with small holes (you can poke holes in a piece of cardboard), because the eclipse will make very cool shadows. Check out our safe-viewing page for tips on building other kinds of viewers.

Step 7

Be with an astronomer.

Find someone who has a telescope and knows how to use it. You can watch the eclipse with your eclipse glasses, but a telescope—with the proper, safe filter!—will make viewing the eclipse even more amazing. If you don’t have a buddy with a telescope, check at your local library or museum for special events. 

Step 8

Be interactive- watch the livestream

And be sure to download the free Exploratorium app (for iOS and Android) or watch on their website livestream .

NASA states the April 8, 2024, eclipse will be a total solar eclipse. It will be the last total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous United States until 2044.

A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. People viewing the eclipse from locations where the Moon’s shadow completely covers the Sun – known as the path of totality – will experience a total solar eclipse. The sky will darken, as if it were dawn or dusk. Weather permitting, people along the path of totality will see the Sun’s corona, or outer atmosphere, which is usually obscured by the bright face of the Sun.  Read More 

For an in depth understanding during each stage, as Dr. Telepun also explains... Read More

NASA's Safety tips below: 

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 this includes viewing 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.  When watching the partial phases of the solar eclipse directly with your eyes, which happens before and after totality, you must look through safe solar viewing glasses (“eclipse glasses”) or a safe handheld solar viewer at all times. You can also use an indirect .viewing method, such as a pinhole projector.​  Read More NASA tips