Although it’s still a few months away, the upcoming total solar eclipse is on the minds of some people in North Royalton. The once-in-a-lifetime event will take place on April 8, 2024. North Royalton schools will be closed for the event and plans are being made for a special event to take place on that date.
North Royalton falls into the 124-mile-wide band in Ohio that will experience the total solar eclipse. A solar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth and Moon align in a straight or almost straight configuration. The solar eclipse occurs only during a new Moon, when the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, covering the Sun. There are three kinds of solar eclipses: total, partial, and annular, with the total solar eclipse being the rarest. Totality during such an eclipse can only be seen from a limited area, which is shaped like a narrow belt. The belt is usually about 100 miles wide and 10,000 miles long. Those in areas outside this belt may be able to see a partial eclipse of the Sun.
Although the total solar eclipse happens one every 1.5 years on earth, only 21 total solar eclipses have crossed over the lower 48 states of the U.S. The path of the 2024 eclipse will stretch from Texas to Maine. Since northeast Ohio is projected be in the path of the total solar eclipse, this area is considered a prime viewing location for the event. It is also the area which provides one of the longest durations of the event. According to NASA officials, the eclipse will begin at 1:59 p.m. in Cleveland. Totality begins at 3:13 p.m. with maximum effect at 3:15 p.m. Totality ends at 3:17 p.m. The partial eclipse finishes at 4:29 p.m. NASA has created an interactive map that shows the 2024 solar eclipse. In 2017, Northeast Ohio experienced a partial solar eclipse with an 80-85 percent blockage of the sun. The last time Northeast Ohio was in the path of a total solar eclipse was in 1806. After 2024, the next total solar eclipse in Ohio will take place in 2099.
Destination Cleveland, a convention and visitors bureau, encourages northeast Ohio residents to note the date and make plans to see this rare event. “ Destination Cleveland, Great Lakes Science Center and NASA’s Glenn Research Center have launched an online hub featuring a countdown clock, information on the path of totality and an email sign-up for when information becomes available,” according to Destination Cleveland officials. Information can be seen at www.thisiscleveland.com/2024-solar-eclipse.http://www.thisiscleveland.com. Another great resource for information about the total solar eclipse in Ohio is the Ohio Emergency Management Agency’s website: ema.ohio.gov/media-publications/ohio-total-solar-eclipse.
The city of North Royalton is partnering with the North Royalton School District to provide the community with a viewing party event at the North Royalton Serpentini Chevrolet Stadium, located at 6579 Royalton Road. “We will have food trucks, pizza concessions, bounce houses, activities, entertainment and more,” according to event officials. Solar eclipse safety glasses will also be provided, while supplies last. More details will be available as the date approaches.
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer