Eclipse Tips

A major astronomical event is here! On April 8, 2024, North America will experience its last total solar eclipse for the next 20 years. 

Watch this 12-minute video to see our Planetarium Manager, Buddy Stark, explain where and how to view the eclipse safely!

Links mentioned in the video:

Stellarium software

NASA’s Eclipse Explorer

What’s so special about this solar eclipse?

A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun. 

A total solar eclipse means the Moon will completely block the face of the Sun when seen from some parts of the Earth. It also means that for a couple of minutes, the corona of the Sun will be visible as pale swirls of plasma from many places in North America.

Can I see the eclipse from Ann Arbor?

No. Ann Arbor, like almost all of Michigan, is not in the path of totality: the area in which people will see the Moon cover 100% of the Sun’s photosphere (bright surface). 

From Ann Arbor, the Moon will appear to cover 98% of the Sun’s photosphere. The Sun is so bright that even the remaining 2% will prevent us from seeing the corona.

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