Historical event: Indiana gets front-row seat to solar eclipse

INDIANAPOLIS — A total solar eclipse will travel through Indiana on April 8, providing a spectacular show for sky watchers.

“On April 8, Indiana will be center stage for a once-in-a-lifetime total solar eclipse experience,” said Gov. Eric Holcomb.

“While 12 counties are right along the direct path of almost total darkness, the rest of Indiana will also experience a near total eclipse to some degree.

“I want to encourage everyone to take in the spectacle safely. As the excitement mounts for this remarkable phenomenon, Indiana will shine brightly, even during the darkness, as a gracious host.”

The Indiana State Board of Animal Health encouraged Hoosiers to plan for travel, especially if hauling livestock. Congested traffic and distracted drivers could pose a hazard.

Highways such as I-70 and county roads in the path of the eclipse are expected to be crowded before, during and after the eclipse.

BOAH also advised people not to be on the roadways in horse-drawn buggies or carts, or ride horseback during the eclipse.

“The totally dark and low-visibility conditions present a danger to horses and riders because they may not be visible to motor vehicle operators,” BOAH said on its website.

“Areas of Indiana where the eclipse will be the most intense (a line, roughly, from Knox County in the west to Randolph County to the east) can expect to see a high volume of vehicular traffic from visiting spectators trying to experience the eclipse — especially in rural areas.

“The sudden change in conditions can motivate unsafe and unpredictable behavior in the animals.”

Rapid darkness during daylight hours can disrupt animals’ normal behaviors. Horses observed in past eclipse events have been reported to become restless, shaking their heads and tails.

What Is An Eclipse?

A solar eclipse happens when the moon casts a shadow on Earth, fully or partially blocking the sun’s light. In the area known as the path of totality, daylight will fade like dusk, go to darkness and then have a dawn-like experience in the middle of the day.

Simply put, a total solar eclipse is considered one of the most beautiful natural events to see and continues to draw large crowds.

Source: Indiana State Department of Agriculture

When Is It?

The path of totality enters Indiana at approximately 3:01 p.m. ET April 8 with the final exit of the moon’s shadow from the state at 3:12 p.m.

Fun Facts

• While traveling through Indiana, the speed of the moon’s shadow will accelerate from about 1,700 miles per hour to about 1,850 miles per hour.

• Nearly 4 million Hoosiers reside within the path of totality.

• It’s expected that as many as 581,000 visitors will make the trek to Indiana for viewing.

• Areas near the eclipse centerline will see the greatest influx of visitors, including Vincennes, Bloomington, Franklin and north of Richmond.

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