On Monday, April 8, 2024, Ashland County will be in the direct path of a total solar eclipse. A total solar eclipse is a rare event. On average, one happens somewhere on the Earth only once every 1.5 years. Only 21 total solar eclipses have crossed the lower 48 states in the entire existence of the United States.
The last total solar eclipse visible in Ohio was in 1806. The next total solar eclipse in Ohio will be in the year 2099. In Ohio, the point of greatest duration for the total solar eclipse on April 8th will be Lorain County’s Avon Lake, 23 miles west of Cleveland.
Ashland County leaders expect, and are planning for, a surge of visitors to the area. Ohio viewing sites, including sites for Ashland County, can be found at Ohio Total Solar Eclipse | Emergency Management Agency
What you need to know:
- If you plan to have a food truck or do body art at an eclipse event, or plan to allow camping on your property, you will be required to have a temporary permit. Temporary permits and inspections are done by the Ashland County Health Department. Please call 419-282-4337.
- Consider ordering protective eyewear now, as it is never safe to look directly at the sun’s rays, even if the sun is partially obscured. The American Astronomical Society has created a list of companies that provide protective eyewear that meet the ISO 12312-2 Standard for Solar Viewers. Suppliers of Safe Solar Filters & Viewers | Solar Eclipse Across America (aas.org)
- Most Ashland County schools will be closed on the day of the eclipse, April 8, 2024.
- Most lodging in Ashland County is already booked for the event.
- Travel immediately after the eclipse will be slow. There will likely be extra traffic on Interstate 71 and US Routes 30 and 42 throughout the weekend.
- Gas prices surged in the states that were in the path of the 2017 total eclipse, so fill up your gas tank a few days ahead of the eclipse.
- Phone services were also disrupted with delays and outages during the 2017 eclipse, so plan ahead.
A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. People viewing the eclipse from locations where the Moon’s shadow completely covers the Sun, known as the path of totality, will experience a total solar eclipse. The sky will darken, as if it were dawn or dusk. Weather permitting, people along the path of totality will see the Sun’s outer atmosphere (corona) which is usually obscured by the bright face of the Sun.
