LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Dozens of communities in Kentucky and southern Indiana are in store for a spectacular view of the 2024 total solar eclipse in early April.
The Great American Eclipse's path of totality on April 8 will stretch from Texas up to Maine and cut straight through southern Indiana and parts of western Kentucky.
Roughly 4 million Hoosiers live in the path of totality, with hundreds of thousands of visitors expected to flock to Indiana to catch a glimpse of the rare event.
Be sure to join WHAS11's Chief Meteorologist Ben Pine and Meteorologist Christina Sanjuan in French Lick for the WHAS11 Eclipse Watch Party on April 8!
RELATED: 'Star Trek' star, William Shatner, discusses upcoming trip to southern Indiana for solar eclipse
What is a total solar eclipse?
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.
Outside of the path of totality, you can still see a partial solar eclipse where the sun will appear as a crescent shape. Louisville will experience 99% totality.
Click here for some tips to prepare for the eclipse if you plan on travelling.
There is a total solar eclipse somewhere on earth about once every 18 months. According to NASA, the next total solar eclipse won’t be seen over the contiguous United States until Aug. 23, 2044.
The same precise location, however, won’t experience another one for about 400 years.
For example, the last time Louisville experienced a total solar eclipse was in 1869. After this year’s eclipse, we won’t experience another one until Oct. 17, 2153.
When will the solar eclipse begin?
When the eclipse begins and how long it'll last depends on where you are in reference to the path of totality. For some, the eclipse could be as long as four minutes.
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.
RELATED: Places within driving distance from Louisville that will be in the eclipse's path of totality
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.
If you would like to search your own city or town to find the time in totality, click here.
Best spots to view total eclipse in Kentucky, Indiana
There is no shortage of places to have a magnificent view of April’s total solar eclipse. The path of totality extends from Texas to Maine and cuts through southern Indiana.
So, if you’re looking to find the best views near Louisville with the longest time in totality, you’ll likely want to head across the Ohio River.
Both Vincennes and Bloomington, Indiana will be in the dark the longest -- spending over four minutes in totality.
If you’re not in the path of totality, you’ll still get to experience a partial solar eclipse.
Do I need to wear glasses to view the eclipse?
You always want to wear solar-safe glasses when looking up at the sun, and that’s no different during a solar eclipse.
Without the proper safety measures, you could permanently damage your eyesight.
Solar-safe eclipse glasses must be worn for the entirety of the event if you plan to stay in Louisville or any other areas that are not in the path of totality. The sun will not be completely covered by the moon at any point.
If you’re in the path of totality, you can take your glasses off only during the 100% totality phase but remember that only lasts for a few minutes.
Before and after totality, when the sun is still visible, you'll need to keep the glasses on.
Will it be cloudy on April 8?
The WHAS11 First Alert StormTeam is closely monitoring the forecast on eclipse day.
Unfortunately, April is typically one of the cloudiest months in Kentuckiana. Clouds could negatively impact the viewing experience.
The forecast for Monday isn't perfect, but it could be worse!
Weather models suggest up to 75% cloud cover from Indianapolis to Evansville. How thick those clouds will be could vary throughout the day.
Although it will likely be cloudy, the eclipse will be harder to see and you may notice a sunset-like glow on the horizon during the early stages of the eclipse, but that all depends on the thickness of cloud cover.
You'll also notice the temperature will drop and birds will stop chirping, still making for a unique experience.
Keep your fingers crossed there’s not too many clouds and click here to see the latest forecast.
Differences between 2017 and 2024 eclipse
This isn’t the first solar eclipse viewable in our region in recent years.
You likely remember the rush to Hopkinsville, Kentucky to get a chance to view 2017’s solar eclipse.
April’s total solar eclipse will be entirely different and is largely considered to be a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Not only is the path of totality nearly twice as big, but cities in totality will also experience nearly four minutes in total darkness.
Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.