As many as 3.7 million people are expected to make travel plans on April 8 to see the total solar eclipse, which will be visible in parts of 13 U.S. states along a narrow stretch of land from Texas to Maine.
North Carolina is not in the path of the total eclipse. Still, people in and around Fayetteville will be able to see a partial solar eclipse. The last time there was a total solar eclipse visible across North America was in 2017, and the next total solar eclipse of this kind will not occur for another 20 years.
Lasting just over two and half hours, the solar eclipse here will begin at 1:57 p.m. and end at 4:28 p.m. The height of the eclipse, when the sun is hidden the most, will occur at 3:14 p.m. At this time in Fayetteville, 75% of the sun will be eclipsed by the moon, according to the Fayetteville State University Planetarium.
For several reasons, this year’s total solar eclipse is going to be extra special. Notably, it will be the longest one since 1806, with the sun totally blacked out in the eclipse’s path for about four minutes (meaning it will seem like night during the day).
Total solar eclipses are when the moon crosses between the sun and Earth and casts its shadow onto Earth, bringing dust-like darkness during the day. Eclipses have held spiritual meaning in various cultures and religious traditions across the globe since antiquity.
All things considered, the most important thing to know about the total solar eclipse is how to view it without damaging your vision. Though it may be tempting, it’s unsafe to look directly at the solar eclipse, and doing so can cause permanent damage to the retina.
Skywatchers must view it through “eclipse glasses,” which have special-purpose solar filters. Regular sunglasses will not work. Eclipse glasses can be purchased from reputable vendors online (some big-box stores may also be selling them leading up to the eclipse).
The Spring Lake Community Library will hold a free event for people to create solar eclipse glasses from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on April 5. The library is located at 101 Laketree Blvd. in Spring Lake.
For avid eclipse watchers, the Fayetteville State University Planetarium will hold an eclipse viewing from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. the day of the eclipse. The event is free and several telescopes will be available to the public to view the eclipse. A limited number of eclipse glasses will also be for sale during the event. The planetarium is located at 1200 Murchison Road at the FSU campus in Fayetteville.
To learn more about the 2024 total solar eclipse, visit the informational page on NASA’s website.
Contact Evey Weisblat at eweisblat@cityviewnc.com or 216-527-3608.
To keep CityView Today going and to grow our impact even more, we're asking our committed readers to consider becoming a member. Click here to join.
