On Monday, here in Schuylkill County, we’re going to experience a partial solar eclipse.
We won’t see a total eclipse of the sun but it’ll be close.
Here is a rundown of the critical information you need to know about the solar eclipse on April 8th here in the coal region.
How much of the solar eclipse will we see in Schuylkill County?
According to timeanddate.com, the Pottsville area will experience 92.9% obscuration. That means nearly 93% of the sun will be covered by the moon at the height of the eclipse.
When is the solar eclipse?
The partial solar eclipse is expected to begin on Monday at 2:07 p.m.
At its maximum, the eclipse will happen at 3:22 p.m.
The eclipse completely ends at 4:34 p.m.
What will the solar eclipse look like?
We’ve created these graphics to show what happens during a solar eclipse and how it will affect Schuylkill County on Monday. These estimates are based on information from timeanddate.com.
What’s the weather going to be on April 8th?
Right now, the weather forecast is favorable for viewing the solar eclipse here in Schuylkill County. National Weather Service is predicting a mostly sunny day with a high temperature nearly 60 degrees.
What is the path of totality for the solar eclipse?
Here is a map showing the path of totality for the April 8 solar eclipse. The closest location to Schuylkill County that can see a total solar eclipse is in northwest Pennsylvania, in a place like Erie.
Are there any community events or public viewings organized for the solar eclipse?
We know of no public viewings scheduled in Schuylkill County to watch the solar eclipse. Schools in the area have scheduled early dismissals on Monday, April 8, because the timing of the eclipse coincides with the regular end of the school day.
How often do solar eclipses occur?
A total or near total solar eclipse is a rare event. The next total solar eclipse that is expected to happen in the Pottsville area won’t be until May 1, 2079, at 6 a.m.
A partial solar eclipse, with just 17% of the sun obscured by the moon, will happen in Schuylkill County on March 29, 2025, just before 7 a.m.
How can you safely view the solar eclipse without damaging your eyes?
Even with 93% of the sun covered by the moon for a few minutes, it’s definitely not safe to look at the sun during the solar eclipse on Monday. Well, it’s never safe to look at the sun. You risk doing long-term damage to your eyes.
It’s also not safe to attempt to view the solar eclipse through a camera lens, a pair of binoculars, or a telescope. And don’t try to look at the eclipse through a pair of sunglasses, no matter how dark you think the lenses are tinted. They’re definitely not dark enough.
But you’re going to be tempted to look up on Monday afternoon to see if the sun is blocked by the moon.
There are safe ways to view the solar eclipse, however.
According to NASA, special solar viewers that meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard are safe for viewing Monday’s eclipse. It does not endorse any specific brand of viewers, however.
When you get a pair of these glasses, check them out for any defects, like they’re torn or scratched. If they are damaged, they won’t function properly and you’ll put yourself at risk of severe eye injury.
Featured Image Source: Canva Pro
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