COLUMBUS – Roads are jammed, hotels are packed, schools are closed and businesses are prepared for a major slowdown Monday afternoon when the “Great American Eclipse” transfixes the nation.
Solar Eclipse by the numbers:
Begins in Columbus at……1:04 p.m.
Peak coverage at….2:31 p.m.
Area of sun covered……86.6%
Duration of peak coverage…..2 min. 40 sec.
Ends in Columbus at…..3:52 p.m.
-Source: NASA/NOAA
According to NASA, more than 300 million people could potentially view the total solar eclipse and at least a partial eclipse will be visible in every state. The total eclipse, which occurs when the moon completely covers the sun, will be visible across 14 states in the continental U.S. along a 70-mile-wide swath, the space agency says.
A timeline of past and future solar eclipses. The next total solar eclipse will be passing through parts of our area on April 8, 2024! pic.twitter.com/RgVEelDMNU
— NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) August 18, 2017
In Columbus, the eclipse will begin at 1:04 p.m., will peak at 2:30 p.m. and will end at 3:52 p.m. and the National Weather Forecast is predicting partly cloudy conditions in the area.
Here is your latest Eclipse forecast. #ohwx pic.twitter.com/M3jDnHLWXC
— NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) August 21, 2017
To prevent serious damage to the eye, including blindness, NASA says eclipse viewing glasses or handheld solar viewers should be used when viewing the eclipse. Ordinary sunglasses — even very dark ones –or homemade filters will not proide adequate protection.
Scientists also recommend using a pinhole projector. Sunlight streams through a small hole, such as a pencil hole in a piece of paper, or even the space between your fingers, onto a makeshift screen like a piece of paper or the ground.
PBS, ABC, NBC, NASA Television and the Science Channel are among the outlets planning extended coverage of the first solar eclipse visible across the United States in 99 years.
Most coverage begins Monday at 1:00 p.m., Columbus time, just before the eclipse begins in Oregon.
The AAA has provided safety tips for motorists:
Drive with your headlights on
Do not attempt to watch the solar eclipse while driving. Find a safe place to park, and then observe the eclipse.
Do not wear eclipse glasses while driving
Do not try to photograph the eclipse while driving.
Watch out for pedestrians who may be many people standing in or along the road
Be alert to the possibility of distracted drivers.
Source: AAA
Scientists says there have been 15 total eclipse events that affected at least a portion of the continental U.S. over the past 150 years but the only one to traverse the entire country coast-to-coast was in 1918.
The last total solar eclipse visible in the U.S. was in 1979. For everything and anything eclipse related, visit NASA’s Eclipse2017 website.