2024 Eclipse Resources

Eclipse 2024

Total Eclipse - April 8, 2024

Nebraska is not in the line for full totality for this eclipse. We will see roughly 83% obscurity of the sun where we are located. The eclipse will start around 12:40 p.m. and end around 3:09 p.m. Maximum obscurity will be at 1:55 p.m.

There won't be another eclipse that passes over the United States until 2044!

Watching the Eclipse

You shouldn't look directly at the sun to watch the eclipse! However, there are several other ways you can watch this astronomical event. 

You can read more about the methods outlined below by checking out this page from the Exploratorium! https://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse/how-to-view-eclipse

Shadows

Use something with holes in it like a colander to make a shadow on the ground or on a white piece of paper. As the sun is slowly covered up, the holes you see on the ground will slowly turn to crescents and be covered up. If you have trees near you that have already grown their leaves you can also look at the shadows that they leave on the ground. 

Eclipse Glasses

If you have glasses from the last eclipse in 2017 they should still be safe to use. Make sure to check that there aren't any cuts or holes in the lens. 

If you want to try and order glasses make sure they are from a reputable seller. You don't want to buy glasses that don't actually protect your eyes. You can check this list of certified manufacturers: https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/viewers-filters

The solar eclipse glasses are built for adults, so you may need to add string to them to get them to stay on children. You can even turn them into a fun mask for the kids to wear! Want directions on how to do that? Check out these how to guides!

Box Pinhole Projector

If you want to make one of these eclipse viewers all you need is a cereal box, tape, aluminum paper, and some white paper. They work by projecting an image of the sun's light into your box so you can watch as the eclipse slowly covers it up. This YouTube Video gives you directions on how to make one! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hXHr5atAo4

Optical Projection

Have a pair of binoculars at home? You can use them to create an optical projection on the ground. When doing this experiment be careful not to touch the light that reflects through the binoculars or hover it over anything that burns! 

Cover one (AND ONLY ONE) lens with a sun shield and point the binoculars at the ground. To keep the binoculars in place you can attach them to a tripod or pole so you don't have to hold it. When you do this you'll be able to see a bright magnified version of the sun on the ground. You may need to let the binoculars cool down after a bit. They can get very hot and break if left too long in the sun.

You can watch a video explanation of this project from an optical engineer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHeStKqcmik

Live Stream

If you aren't able to go outside, or if it's too cloudy to see that day, you can watch one of these livestreams!

Other Fun Projects!

Paint Palette Sky Check

Grab some blue paint swatches from your local hardware store and use them to check how they sky changes colors during the eclipse. Mark down the times you notice the sky reaching a certain color.

Disco Lights

Buy a cheap mini disco ball and use it to reflect the lights of the sun in a room that has some big windows. You'll end up with lots of little sun shapes that you can watch change shapes as the sun is covered up!

Sundials

Eclipse History

Art Projects/History