COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Metropolitan Library will offer free eclipse glasses for the near total solar eclipse in April.
The glasses will be given out at all 23 libraries starting March 18. The eclipse will happen on April 8.
The totality path of the 2024 solar eclipse is expected to be about 124 miles wide and will stretch across 13 states, from Texas to New Hampshire.
In Ohio, the point of greatest duration for the total solar eclipse will be in Avon Lake, in Lorain County, located 23 miles west of Cleveland.
The last eclipse to pass over the United States happened in 2017, drawing 21 million spectators. An influx of visitors are expected to flock to the central and northern areas of the state.
The eclipse is expected to happen at 3:08 p.m. with totality lasting around three to four minutes. A partial solar eclipse will be visible before and after the total eclipse. Safe glasses are essential for viewing the phenomenon.
What is a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth. Sometimes the moon only blocks part of the sun's light. This results in a partial solar eclipse. When the moon blocks all of the sun, that's called a total solar eclipse.
When the moon blocks the sun's light, it casts a shadow on part of the Earth.
How often do solar eclipses happen?
According to NASA, solar eclipses happen at least twice a year somewhere on Earth. The maximum number of solar eclipses (partial, annular or total) is five per year.
Will you be able to see the eclipse in Columbus?
Columbus residents and anyone southeast of the city will need to make a short drive to Dublin to see the partial eclipse. If you are interested in seeing the total eclipse, you could drive to 90 miles northwest to Wapakoneta in Auglaize County.
To learn how you can prepare for the eclipse, click here.