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The world is counting down to a moment where part of the world will go dark.
Not literally, of course, but it may seem that way for those within the path of totality for the solar eclipse set to take place April 8.
A solar eclipse takes place when the moon passes between Earth and the sun and, from our perspective, completely covers the sun, thus causing a shadow to cover portions of the world. It will look as if a halo of light will surround the blacked-out sun.
Our area won't be in the path of totality, but we should still be able to see quite a show from much of the Ohio Valley. In fact, we may have more than 90% coverage from our area, so it will still be an experience for our residents (and any visitors who happen to come around). From the maps I've seen, the total eclipse will cover much of northern and central Ohio, so the Warren area is probably the closest for much of us looking to get the 100% experience. It looks as if Massillon may just be on the outer edge of the path.
In those communities, the totality of the eclipse will last for only a couple of minutes. The full show, though, will last over a few hours as the moon crosses in front of the sun.
Of course, whether we can see any of it at all will be dependent on the weather.
A total solar eclipse of one of those rare experiences, primarily because of the way the Earth rotates, following its rotational path around the sun and the moon rotating around the Earth. The last time a total solar eclipse was visible from North American was in 2017, but the next one is projected for 2044.
I know there has been a great deal of excitement concerning this eclipse. I've been hearing about it for more than a year, through various news reports and online discussion sites. I read of one community in Texas declaring a state of emergency a few months ago over concern for the number or tourists they expected to see just for eclipse viewing.
Colleagues began making plans months ago for family gatherings, and I'm certain there will be some community viewing events.
In fact, I've found where the West Virginia University Planetarium will be offering such a public event at the Mountainlair Lawn, with an event also planned for the Green Bank Observatory. There also is talk about the possibility of some local events where residents can come together for the experience. I haven't heard anything official, but I'm hoping to check into it in the coming days.
There is a safety aspect, of course. Remember to never look directly at the eclipse. There are special glasses which have been designed to assist those wishing to view, and some homemade devices we can craft to get a perspective on the eclipse while not looking directly toward the sun.
I'm sure you can find a few other suggestions with a brief internet search if you're interested.
That will probably be my option, as I didn't get any of the eclipse glasses, and I'm not sure how easily they would be to get at this point with the eclipse only a little over a week away.
On a related matter, and it may not be quite as exciting to some, but there apparently will be a total lunar eclipse visible from our region in March 2025. That's a little more to my liking, as long as it's not past my bedtime.
(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter/X @CHowellWDT)