The 2024 total solar eclipse will darken skies across the U.S. and Ohio today.
Cleveland will be in the 100% path of totality between 3:13 p.m. Monday and 3:17 p.m.
See the interactive map of Ohio here for the exact time when the eclipse will begin, and what percentage of the sun will be covered in your city.
A total solar eclipse is caused by the moon lining up perfectly in between the sun and Earth, blocking out the sun’s light. For several minutes, there will be darkness so similar to night that it can fool nocturnal animals into waking, stop birds from singing and send bees back to their hives, according to NASA.
The path of totality, or the thin track across the U.S. from which the sun will appear totally obscured, starts in Texas and continues northeast through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
What to do with those glasses after the eclipse
Unlike in past years, 2024’s solar eclipse will be at least partially visible throughout all 48 contiguous states.
The next total solar eclipse that will be visible from the contiguous United States won’t happen until Aug. 23, 2044, according to NASA.
How to safely view an eclipse
If you’re going to view the sun during the eclipse, make sure to have the proper eye protection in place before looking skyward.
Only those people viewing the April 8 event from the path of totality will be able to briefly remove their glasses, solar filters or viewers for the 2-4 minutes when the moon completely obscures the sun. As soon as the tiniest bit of the sun becomes visible, you should immediately use your viewing device.