2024 Solar Eclipse
Total Eclipse Experience in Ohio
On Monday, April 8, 2024, people within a 124-mile-wide band in the state of Ohio will experience a total solar eclipse.
Areas in Ohio that are outside the path of totality will experience a partial eclipse. A total solar eclipse is a rare and spectacular event. On average, one happens somewhere on the Earth only once every 1.5 years. Only 21 total solar eclipses have crossed the lower 48 states in the entire existence of the United States.
The last total solar eclipse visible in Ohio was in 1806. The next total solar eclipse in Ohio will be in the year 2099.
Eclipse Background Information
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon cast its shadow on the Earth as it passes between the Earth and the Sun. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon appears to totally obscure the Sun.
On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will trace a narrow path of totality across 13 U.S. states. The red center line in the map below shows the path of the 2024 total solar eclipse. The outer blue lines represents the outer boundaries of the path of the totality viewing area.
Path of Total Eclipse through the US and Parts of Canada
The moon will be relatively closer to the Earth during the 2024 eclipse. The closer proximity will allow the eclipse to be larger and last longer in duration.
While the 2024 total solar eclipse in Ohio will last no more than five minutes, a partial solar eclipse will be visible before and after the total eclipse. Eclipse viewers who are outside the outer limits of totality will only be able to see a partial eclipse. The 2024 total solar eclipse will be a great experience for all!
Where to View
Where to View
On Monday afternoon, April 8, 2024, residents and visitors across Ohio will experience a rare celestial event: a total solar eclipse. Its path of totality will be greater than most eclipses. The totality path of the 2017 solar eclipse was about 71 miles (115 km) wide. The totality path of the 2024 solar eclipse is expected to be about 124 miles (200 km) wide, and will stretch across 13 states, from Texas to New Hampshire.
In Ohio, the point of greatest duration for the total solar eclipse will be in Avon Lake, Ohio, in Lorain County, which is 23 miles west of Cleveland.
State and local businesses have been working together for more than a year on plans to ensure that everyone coming to view the eclipse can safely enjoy this exciting event and enjoy their visit to Ohio.
This page provides links to information and resources to help visitors safely enjoy the solar eclipse and make memories to last a lifetime.
Things to Do
Things to Do
On Monday afternoon, April 8, 2024, residents and visitors across Ohio will experience a rare celestial event: a total solar eclipse. Its path of totality will be greater than most eclipses.
Because Ohio is within a one-day drive for 70% of the country’s population, Ohio is going to be a target destination for many people who want to view a total solar eclipse in their lifetime. To avoid being stuck on the roads, we encourage everyone to Come Early, Stay Late. Ohio has many wonderful indoor and outdoor attractions, including parks, museums, zoos, and historical attractions. More information is available on Ohio’s Tourism webpage.
View it Safely
Viewing it Safely
It is never safe to look directly at the sun’s rays, even if the sun is partially obscured.
The only safe way to look directly at a partially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewers.
Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun. They transmit thousands of times too much sunlight and could damage the eyes.
- Always inspect your solar filter before use; if scratched or damaged, discard it. Read and follow any instructions printed on or packaged with the filter.
- Always supervise children using solar filters.
- Stand still and cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses or solar viewer before looking up at the bright sun. After looking at the sun, turn away and remove your filter — do not remove it while looking at the sun.
- Do not look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or other optical device.
- Similarly, do not look at the sun through a camera, a telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while using your eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewer — the concentrated solar rays will damage the filter and enter your eye(s), causing serious injury.
- Seek expert advice before using a solar filter with a camera, a telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device. Note that solar filters must be attached to the front of any telescope, binoculars, camera lens, or other optics.
- If you normally wear eyeglasses, keep them on. Put your eclipse glasses on over them, or hold your handheld viewer in front of them.
Emergency Services in Ohio
The map below contains emergency services in Ohio, such as hospitals, urgent care facilities, police and fire stations. Please use this map to find the emergency services closest to your location. However, in an emergency, please remember to dial 9-1-1 for the quickest response.
Resources
Eye Safety during a Total Solar Eclipse – NASAResources
2024 Total Solar Eclipse websites – General Information and more
- Ohio Department of Education Eclipse Educational Resources
- Ohio Department of Natural Resources Eclipse Information
- Eclipse 2024.org
- National Eclipse
- Great American Eclipse of 2024
- Top 20 best places to view 2024 Great North American Eclipse (see #13 & 14)
Community Planning Information
- 2024 Eclipse: Community Eclipse Planning Guide (PDF) A Community Planning Guide for the 2024 Eclipse. Courtesy of Kate Russo, Ph.D., Author, Psychologist, Eclipse Chaser
- National Operation Center of Excellence Solar Eclipse Resources for 2024 Total Solar Eclipse (includes case studies and material from 2017 Total Solar Eclipse in US)
- The Total Solar Eclipse 2024 viewing simulators & promotion videos
