Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024

It鈥檚 time to get ready for Central Indiana鈥檚 first visible total solar eclipse in nearly 820 years, which will take place on April 8, 2024.

To ensure the safety and well-being of our staff and students, the 含羞草影院. of Wayne Township Board of Education has approved the use of an inclement weather day, which is already built into the school calendar. Therefore, all 含羞草影院. of Wayne Township schools and offices will be closed on Monday, April 8, 2024.

What is a Solar Eclipse?

Solar Eclipse occurs when the moon blocks any part of the sun. On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will be visible (weather permitting) in Indiana. All continental U.S. states will experience at least a partial eclipse. Two shadows will pass over – a lighter shadow called the penumbra and a dark shadow called the umbra. Indiana is located in the umbra, so we will experience a total solar eclipse.

In Indianapolis, the eclipse will begin around 1:51 PM and last until 4:24 PM, and will move through 5 phases, 4 of which are called 鈥榗ontacts.鈥 To view the eclipse, you MUST wear proper eye protection (solar filter glasses) during all but totality.

Check out from Mr. Rick Crosslin, MSD Wayne Township Scientist in Residence, to learn more!

How can I stay safe while viewing the eclipse?

  • The only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed, partially eclipsed, or eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as the purple eclipse glasses we have provided. Ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun. They transmit far more sunlight than is safe for our eyes.
  • Inspect the glasses before use: be sure there are no scratches, damage, or punctures. Follow the directions printed on the glasses.
  • Use with adult supervision.
  • If you wear glasses, keep them on. Put the solar filter glasses over them, or hold them in place.
  • Look down, put the solar glasses on, then look at the sun. After looking at the sun, turn away and remove the filter. Do not remove the solar glasses while looking at the sun.
  • Do not look at the sun with an unfiltered camera, telescope, or binoculars. Do not put the solar filter glasses over a device to look at the sun.
  • The only time to view the sun without solar filter glasses is during the totality of the total solar eclipse, which lasts about three minutes.
  • Individuals should consult with a health care provider about specific health needs.

贬别谤别鈥檚 about staying safe from Ben Davis High School teacher, Joseph Cardoza.

What can I do to understand the eclipse, and prepare to view the eclipse?

How to Make a Pinhole Camera – NASA (4 min.) Materials Needed:

  • FedEx box
  • White index card
  • Aluminum foil square 3鈥 x 5鈥
  • Tape
  • Scissors and/or knife
Eclipse in a Cup – Exploratorium Museum听

(7 min.) Materials Needed:

  • 3 clear cups
  • Clay
  • Push pin
  • Markers
  • Scissors
  • Flashlight听
Eclipse to Scale – Exploratorium Museum

(5 min.) Materials Needed:

  • Ping pong ball 1陆鈥 dia听
  • String
  • Bead 鈪溾 dia
  • Toothpick
  • Ruler
  • Tape
  • pencil
(4 min.) Materials Needed:

  • Coat hanger
  • Foam ball
  • Pvc pipe 6鈥 x 陆鈥 dia听
  • Wire cutter and/or pliers
(6 min) Materials Needed:

  • Solar glasses
  • Black paper plate
  • Silver tinsel fringe
  • Red pipe cleaner
  • Hot glue and/or tape
  • Elastic thread
  • Silver magic marker
  • Scissors and/or knife

What can we expect to see in Indianapolis?

First Contact听
1:51:02 PM听
Solar Filter Glasses are Needed

The eclipse begins at First Contact, the moment the moon first 鈥渢ouches鈥 the edge of the solar disk, approaching it from the right.听 The moon, invisible until now in the daytime sky, becomes visible as a black disk blocking the Sun.听

Partial Eclipse

approximately

1:52-3:05 PM

Solar Filter Glasses are Needed

For the next hour and fifteen minutes, the moon slowly covers a larger and larger part of the Sun.

Second Contact

approximately 3:05-3:06 PM

Solar Filter Glasses are Needed

The moon completely covers the Sun.听 On the moon鈥檚 leading edge, the last slice of light shines through lunar valleys, breaking up into a chain of bright 鈥減earls鈥 called Baily鈥檚 beads.

Then in the final seconds before the moon completely covers the Sun, there is a last bright flash, joined with a view of the corona – the Sun鈥檚 upper atmosphere – encircling the moon.听 This produces a spectacular effect called the diamond ring.听 After the diamond ring disappears, you have a couple of seconds to notice another layer of the Sun, the red-colored chromosphere, before it is also eclipsed.听

Totality

3:06:10- 3:09:45 PM

Safe to Observe Without Solar Filter Glasses

The Sun is now completely hidden, revealing the full solar corona.听 This stage of a total solar eclipse, Totality, is the only time we on Earth can see the corona, which streams out into space above the Sun鈥檚 surface.听 Normally, the corona鈥檚 light is outshone by the bright photosphere.听 You may see bright pink spots at the Sun鈥檚 edge.听 These are gigantic loops of plasma that rise from the Sun鈥檚 surface, called prominences.听 Their beautiful color is glowing hydrogen gas.听听听

During totality is the only time you can safely look at the Sun with your naked eye.听 If you look away for a few moments you will notice that the sky has become dark, as if it鈥檚 twilight and other stars and planets are visible.听 If you look out toward the horizon, it is also possible to see light from outside of the shadow you are standing in, like a 360-degree sunset.

Third Contact

approximately 3:10-3:11 PM

Solar Filter Glasses are Needed

Totality ends at Third Contact, as the leading edge of the moon begins to move off the Sun.听 Once again, on the opposite side of the moon, the last light of the photosphere shines through mountains and valleys, creating Baily鈥檚 beads.听 At Totality鈥檚 end, resume using safe viewing techniques.

If you look at the ground just before the Second contact and right after the Third contact you may see shadow bands marching across the landscape.听听

Sunlight is restored moments after Third Contact, the Sun reemerges in a burst of light, creating a second diamond ring on the opposite side of the Sun.听 As the moon reveals more of the Sun, the corona quickly fades from view in the brightness of the newly restored photosphere

Partial Eclipse

approximately

3:10-4:23 PM

Solar Filter Glasses are Needed

For the next hour and fifteen minutes, the moon slowly moves away from covering the Sun.

Fourth Contact

4:24 PM听

Solar Filter Glasses are Needed

The eclipse is now nearly over.听 Fourth Contact, when the outer edge of the moon last touches the Sun, marks its end.听 From First Contact to this moment takes about two and a half hours.

Adapted from The Exploratorium:听

Where can I learn more?

Total Solar Eclipse 2024 and Simulator – Dan McClaun

NASA Space Place for Kids:
What is a Solar Eclipse?

American Astronomical Society, AAS
Solar Eclipse Across America

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
2024 Total Solar Eclipse

Exploratorium
Solar Eclipse

National Science Teachers Association, NSTA
The Eclipse Connection

Hoosier Association of Science Teachers, Inc., HASTI
Eclipse Resources