Where you can see the total solar eclipse in Indiana, when, and how long it's visible

A rare occurrence is about to take over the state of Indiana with up to four minutes of complete darkness. How long will depend on where you are.

Where will the solar eclipse be visible in Indiana?

According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the path of totality runs through various parts of Indiana, including major cities like Bloomington and Indianapolis. “Along the center line of the zone of totality, darkness will last for approximately four minutes, and as you move farther away from the center line of that arc across the state, the timeframe and amount of darkness will drop,” according to the website.

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What time and for how long will the solar eclipse be visible in Indiana?

According to Eclipse2024.org, the times and durations of the upcoming eclipse in the following Indiana cities are:

See the eclipse in Mount Vernon

The eclipse will be visible in Mount Vernon at 1:45 p.m. Totality begins at 3:01 p.m. and lasts for three and a half minutes.

See the eclipse in Evansville

In Evansville, the eclipse is visible at 1:46 p.m. with totality beginning at 3:02 p.m. The duration of the totality is three minutes.

See the eclipse in Bedford

Eclipse becomes visible at 1:49 p.m. with totality starting at 3:05 p.m. The duration of totality is over three minutes and 40 seconds.

See the eclipse in Terre Haute

The eclipse will be visible in Terre Haute at 1:48 p.m. Totality starts at 3:04 p.m. with a duration of just under three minutes.

See the eclipse in Linton

In Linton, the eclipse will be seen at 1:48 p.m. Totality starts at 3:04 p.m. with a duration of four minutes.

See the eclipse in Bloomington

Eclipse begins at 1:49 p.m. with totality beginning at 3:05 p.m. The duration of totality is slightly over four minutes.

See the eclipse in Indianapolis

In Indianapolis, the eclipse becomes visible at 1:50 p.m. Totality begins at 3:06 p.m. with a duration of just over three minutes and 45 seconds.

See the eclipse in Shelbyville

The eclipse becomes visible in Shelbyville at 1:50 p.m. with totality beginning at 3:06 p.m. The duration of totality is close to four minutes.

See the eclipse in Muncie

In Muncie, the eclipse begins at 1:52 p.m. with totality at 3:07 p.m. The duration of totality is around three minutes and 45 seconds.

See the eclipse in New Castle

Eclipse begins at 1:52 p.m. with totality starting at 3:07 p.m. The duration is almost four minutes.

See the eclipse in Connersville

The eclipse becomes visible in Connersville at 1:52 p.m. with totality at 3:07 p.m. The duration is around three minutes and 45 seconds.

See the eclipse in Portland

In Portland, the eclipse begins at 1:53 p.m. with totality at 3:08 p.m. The duration of totality is near three minutes and 45 seconds.

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When is the solar eclipse?

The solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8. According to NASA, Mexico’s Pacific coast will first experience the eclipse around 11:07 a.m. PDT. The eclipse path will then enter the U.S. in Texas, traveling through the states of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Main. Some parts of Michigan and Tennessee will also experience the phenomenon.

From there, the eclipse will enter Canada in Southern Ontario, traveling through Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton before exiting North America on the Atlantic coast around 5:16 p.m. NDT in Newfoundland, Canada.

What is a solar eclipse?

According to National Geographic, a solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, creating a shadow on our planet called an umbra.

There are also different kinds of eclipses. A total eclipse occurs when the moon blocks out the entire sun and a partial eclipse occurs when the moon only blocks part of the sun.

What is a total solar eclipse?

Phyllis Lugger, an astronomy professor at IU Bloomington, witnessed a total eclipse of the sun in August of 2017 while in Salem, Oregon. “Totality itself is very awe-inspiring. It’s a remarkable shared experience that causes people with different backgrounds on different parts of the globe to be similarly awe-struck by the wonders of the natural world,” she said.

According to the IU official website, a total eclipse takes place when the moon passes directly between the sun and Earth, placing the Earth in its shadow. The time it takes place, as well as the duration, are influenced by factors like the distances between the sun, moon and Earth, the moon’s phase and the axial tilt of the Earth and moon.

Edward Rhoads, lecturer in physics at the School of Science at IU Indianapolis, said the path of totality refers to the area experiencing a full eclipse. While Earth experiences a solar eclipse frequently, it’s only visible from a small area of the planet's surface. The upcoming total solar eclipse will only be seen from an area 100 miles wide.

How often do solar eclipses occur?

Solar eclipses take place pretty frequently, occurring two to five times per year, according to the Natural History Museum. However, a total solar eclipse typically takes place every 18 months, around a year and a half apart.

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How can viewers stay safe during the solar eclipse?

The following safety precautions are recommended for attendees:

• Get eclipse-viewing glasses early. Regular sunglasses are not safe.

• Fill up your gas tank before traveling in the event of traffic delays.

• Do not stop along highways or emergency shoulders.

• Do not take pictures while driving. Exit the highway to view or photograph the event.

• Turn on headlights.

• Drive alert and watch for pedestrians.

• Come early, stay late. This will help minimize major traffic delays.

• Plan ahead. Book accommodations early and select a viewing destination before you travel. Locations with restrooms and food will be in high demand.

• Travel with enough food and water for everyone in your vehicle. Expect lines at restaurants, convenience stores and grocery stores.

• Check the local weather.

When is the next solar eclipse?

According to NASA, the next total solar eclipse visible in the U.S. following the April occurrence won’t be until Aug. 23, 2044.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Indiana cities where you can see the total solar eclipse, when and how long