LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Roughly four million Hoosiers live in the path of totality for the upcoming total solar eclipse with hundreds of thousands of visitors expected to flock to Indiana for the spectacle.
On April 8, 2024, the moon will pass between the Earth and the sun casting a full shadow that will block the sun’s light from reaching our planet for a few minutes in the middle of the day.
Some parts of Kentuckiana will get to witness up to four minutes of totality. Scroll down for the perfect viewing spots.
When does totality begin in Kentucky, Indiana?
If you're looking to get the best view of totality that's close to Louisville, French Lick may be your best bet.
The southern Indiana city will be in totality for just over three minutes with peak eclipse at 3:04 p.m. EST. WHAS11's Chief Meteorologist Ben Pine and Christina Sanjuan will also be at French Lick West Baden for the WHAS11 Eclipse Watch Party.
Paoli, Jasper, Seymour and Santa Claus are all in our area as well and having their own watch parties, so there's really no shortage of desirable choices to view the solar eclipse in Kentuckiana.
RELATED: These Kentucky, southern Indiana schools will be closed for the upcoming total solar eclipse
For planning purposes, you are going to want to get to where you’re going several hours early. Not only will there be traffic, but partial totality begins about an hour before the times listed above.
Example: Partial totality begins in Columbus, Indiana at 1:50 p.m., then peaks just after 3 p.m. In total, the city will experience the eclipse for about 2 hours and 33 minutes from start to finish.
Partial totality looks like the moon gradually taking a bite out of the sun. The sun will appear as a Pacman and appear smaller and smaller until the moon completely aligns with the giant star, which is when totality occurs.
How long will cities spend in totality?
If you’re looking to head to a city with the longest time in totality, you'll need to get across the Ohio River and into Indiana.
Both Vincennes and Bloomington, Indiana will be in the dark the longest -- spending over four minutes in totality.
All of the following cities are within a comfortable drive from Louisville:
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