On Monday, April 8, look to the skies to enjoy one of nature’s rarest phenomena, a total solar eclipse. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, blocking out the sun’s light and causing an area of darkness on the surface of the Earth. This area of darkness, known as “totality,” will pass over the Dayton area on Monday afternoon around 3:18 p.m. Known as the 2024 Great North American Eclipse, this total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. According to a recent article in the USA Today, Dayton will be one of the top 12 larger towns in the United States to view the event, assuming the weather is clear that day.

The eclipse will cover local cities like Indianapolis, Dayton and Cleveland. NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio

Local Events

Many local towns are taking the opportunity to hold solar eclipse-related events. Some, like the Tipp event, will be held ahead of the eclipse, while others are set up for viewing the event.

 Tipp City, Downtown, Solar Eclipse Block Party, Saturday, April 6, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

This event will be held two days before the eclipse on Saturday, April 6 from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. “Have you ever been “Dancing in the Streets” in Tipp City? Now is your chance! We are hosting a fun, free solar eclipse block party in our beautiful, historic downtown. Our streets will be filled with entertainment, children’s activities, shopping, and dining opportunities, and so much more. Let’s celebrate this cosmic event together! There will be an Eclipse Hunger Pancake Breakfast from 9-11 a.m. or until sold out, sponsored by Tipp City Rotary, and lunch in the 3rd Street tent, sponsored by our local Methodist and Zion churches.” For more information, visit their website at www.downtowntippcity.org.

Dayton, Air Force Museum, Monday, April 8, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, better known locally as the Air Force Museum, will host free festivities, including hands-on activities, rocket launches, a live stream of NASA's eclipse coverage, food trucks, and hot air balloons. Other Dayton-area events will be held at Sunwatch Indian Village and Archaeological Park, Huffman Prairie Flying Field, the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, and the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center.

Troy, Eclipse on the Square, Downtown Troy, April 8, Noon-3:00 p.m.

Troy will be holding a downtown event on the day of the eclipse. “Get pumped for eclipse viewing in downtown Troy! Party Punch will be performing and Ranger Vic will be onsite creating balloon art. In addition, there will be a selfie station to document the festivities during this once-in-a-lifetime total solar eclipse. Bakehouse Bread & Cookie Co. will have their smoker out so you can get your BBQ fill, and The Rec will have hot dogs, chips, and other concession items for sale.” For more information, see www.troymainstreet.org

West Milton, Solar Eclipse Party in the Park, West Milton, April 8, 1:00-4:00 p.m.

West Milton will be holding an event during the eclipse. “This event will take place in the West Milton Municipal Park and is the perfect place to enjoy live music, food, and local shopping while waiting to view the solar eclipse. There will be bounce houses and face painting onsite and play BINGO with The Lions Club while enjoying the sounds of Mark and Laura Sauers.” For more information, visit their Facebook page.

Local Authorities warn to plan ahead for Event

Local authorities are asking local residents to take precautions before and during the event. According to the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, “On this date, people within a 124-mile-wide band in the state of Ohio will experience a total solar eclipse. This will be an exciting celestial event and we want Ohioans and our visitors to enjoy the day safely. Areas in Ohio that are outside the path of totality will experience a partial eclipse. A total solar eclipse is a rare and spectacular event. On average, one happens somewhere on the Earth only once every 1.5 years. Only 21 total solar eclipses have crossed the lower 48 states in the entire existence of the United States.”

Other local authorities have warned of potential safety and traffic issues and encourage locals to gas up their vehicles well ahead of the event. Tipp City schools will be closed as a precaution that day. The Tipp City Schools Board of Education designated April 8 as a “Calamity Day for students and staff,” saying that “Miami County will be in the path of totality during this celestial event. Because of this extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the area expects an influx of visitors, potentially creating logistical challenges for our community.”

“Safety is the number one priority when viewing a total solar eclipse. It's never safe to look directly at the sun's rays, even if the sun is partially obscured. The only safe way to look directly at a partially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewers. Be sure you're familiar with solar eclipse safety tips,” the Ohio EMA continues. Solar eclipse glasses are available at many local outlets.

Viewing the Eclipse

Local authorities have asked citizens to take precautions in viewing the celestial phenomena. NASA offers helpful tips on viewing the eclipse:

• After the total solar eclipse on April 8,  the next total solar eclipse that can be seen from the contiguous United States will be on Aug. 23, 2044.

• We can’t normally see the corona ­– the Sun’s outer atmosphere – because the Sun’s surface below it is so much brighter. But during a total solar eclipse, the corona becomes visible, offering unique opportunities to study it.

• When the Moon completely blocks the visible surface of the Sun during a total solar eclipse, viewers can remove their eclipse glasses. A total solar eclipse is the only type of solar eclipse where eclipse glasses can be momentarily removed.

• When a solar eclipse reaches totality, nocturnal wildlife sometimes wakes up, thinking that it’s nighttime, and non-nocturnal wildlife might think it’s time to head to sleep!

The last total solar eclipse visible in Ohio was in 1806. The next total solar eclipse in Ohio will be in the year 2099.