Total eclipse
April 3, 2024
On the edge of the eclipse
We didn’t want to leave you in the dark about the upcoming solar eclipse. Clear Lake will be in the shroud but not cast in complete darkness like some areas of the Hoosier state.
On Monday, April 8, around 3 p.m., a swath of the Midwest will experience night-like blackness when the sun passes through the moon’s shadow. There are locations where the darkness will be total for around 4 minutes. The closest to Clear Lake is Defiance, Ohio, about an hour’s drive. Several businesses and locations in Defiance are holding special sales and events in relation to the eclipse this weekend.
Another close viewing location is Huntington, Indiana on the south edge of the Fort Wayne metroplex. Huntington will be in the path of totality, along with Richmond and Evansville. The Indiana State Parks system has been working for a couple of years to prepare, and parks in the path are booked solid.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is selling viewing glasses – a must for anyone who wants to look up at the sun – at state parks, including the Pokagon State Park gift shop. They cost $10 for a four-pack or $3 each. The DNR has commemorative T-shirts and a window sticker that says “Total Eclipse of the Parks.” Glasses can also be purchased at Greatamericaneclipse.com, which offers a wealth of resources for those interested in a deep dive into eclipse science. NASA has a web site with 3D interactive technology at https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses.
Though Clear Lake is outside the path of totality, the eclipse will not be lost on those who step outdoors the afternoon of April 8. On the northeast edge of Indiana, in a 75% eclipse, the sun will be 4 times less bright. The experience of a total eclipse will be much more profound, which is why scientists have studied the exact path of totality for years leading up to this event.
But remember, safety first. No matter where you are, it is never safe to look directly at the sun without the proper eye protection, even when it is eclipsed. Sunglasses do not provide adequate protection. NASA recommends only glasses from an authorized manufacturer with a Shade 12 or 13 filter.