Just a few more days until the April Solar Eclipse!
After watching the October partial eclipse from our front porch, our family has been anxiously awaiting the April eclipse. Is your family excited for the upcoming eclipse? We are not in the path of totality but we should still get a pretty good view of the partial eclipse in the Atlanta area. Here are a few things to consider in preparation for viewing the eclipse in Georgia.
About the Eclipse
According to NASA, a solar eclipse occurs when the Sun, the Moon, and the Earth line up, either fully or partially. During this time the moon and sun create a unique display of dark and light. The NASA website identifies 4 types of solar eclipses: total solar eclipse, annual solar eclipse, partial solar eclipse, and hybrid solar eclipse. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon completely blocks out the sun. An annual solar eclipse is when the moon passes between the Sun and Earth, but when it is at or near its furthest point from Earth. During a partial solar eclipse the moon, Sun, and Earth are not perfectly lined up. Only part of the Sun will be covered. According to NASA, sometimes an eclipse can shift between annular and total as the Moon’s shadow moves across the globe. This is called a hybrid solar eclipse. In October 2023, Georgia experienced an annular solar eclipse. On April 8, 2024, we will be able to view a partial solar eclipse.
On April 8th, several places in Mexico and the United States will experience a total solar eclipse. We will experience a partial eclipse in Atlanta, Georgia. The partial eclipse is projected to begin in Georgia at 1:45 pm. We will get 80-85% coverage in Atlanta, GA by 3:04 pm. The eclipse will end by 4:21 pm. According to NASA, 2044 is projected to be the next chance to view a total eclipse in the contingent United States.
How to Safely View the Eclipse
It is not safe to view the Sun directly without specialized eye protection. Viewing any part of the Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter will instantly cause severe eye injury. Be safe out there and choose one of the methods below to view the eclipse this month.
Eclipse Glasses – NASA recommends the use of solar viewers or eclipse glasses that comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard. Look for the ISO 12312-2 label on your glasses or viewers. Regular sunglasses ARE NOT safe for viewing the solar eclipse.
Box Pinhole Projector – This could be a great STEM project for you and the kiddos. All you’ll need for this project is a cardboard box, aluminum foil, white paper, a push pin, scissors, tape, a pencil, and instructions from the NASA website.
Stream It – NASA will be hosting a live stream of the eclipse. Watch live with NASA as a total solar eclipse moves across Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
Eclipse Watching around Atlanta
Several school districts in Georgia are closed due to the eclipse. Are your kiddos out of school during the eclipse? If you weren’t able to secure a pair of glasses or construct an eclipse box there are several locations around Atlanta to watch the eclipse. Below are a few local spots to enjoy the eclipse with friends and family. Some even include a free pair of glasses.
NASA Affiliated Eclipse Watch Party – Atlanta, GA: Hosted by the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, from 1:30 – 4:21 pm. Free to Attend and Eclipse glasses will be provided on a first come first serve basis.
Fernbank Science Center – Atlanta, GA: Eclipse Fest! Free eclipse viewers, while supplies last. Free planetarium shows and free hands-on activities from 1- 4 pm. Food trucks on site!
Ponce City Market Roof – Atlanta, GA: The Roof will open at noon, to view the partial eclipse. Snag a pair of FREE eclipse glasses with admission (limited supply). A ticket is required for entry.
West Cobb Regional Library – Kennesaw, GA: Free to Attend, and Eclipse glasses will be provided on a first come first serve basis. If you are unable to snag a pair of glasses there will be other activities to participate in at the library and they will be streaming live coverage from the NASA channel. Other Cobb libraries hosting events: South Cobb Library and Switzer Library.
Tellus Science Museum – Cartersville, GA: Visit the Tellus Science Museum observatory and view the partial solar eclipse with their solar telescope. They will also be streaming the eclipse in their theater and hosting hands-on activities from 12:30 to 4:30 pm. Viewing glasses and moon pie are included with the ticket purchase.
Our family is planning to watch the April 8th partial eclipse from our front porch again if the weather is nice. We love science and bought our ISO-approved solar eclipse glasses from paper optics before the October 2023 eclipse. There are multiple places to watch the eclipse around Atlanta. If you go to one of the places we listed let us know in the comments!
