Detailed Timing for Viewing the Total Solar Eclipse in Evansville

On April 8, 2024, much of Indiana, including Evansville, will be plunged into total darkness, but when exactly does that happen?

What Causes a Total Solar Eclipse?

A solar eclipse can only occur during a new moon, when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun. When this happens, the moon casts a shadow on the Earth. Solar eclipses are more rare to encounter than a lunar eclipse because they are visible to such a small portion of the world when they occur.

What Is the Umbra and Penumbra of an Eclipse

The shadow phase of a solar eclipse occurs in two parts. There is the umbra which occurs when the sun is complete blocked by the moon and occurs for those within the path of totality. The penumbra, which is when the sun is only partially covered by the moon, according to NASA, is experienced by those that will fall within the shadow of the eclipse, but outside of the path of totality.

People in the umbra will see a total eclipse, while people in the penumbra will see a partial eclipse. Though the shadow is narrow and the total eclipse lasts for only minutes, our planet rotates fast enough to bring the shadow a third of the way around Earth's surface before the Moon moves out of alignment with the Sun. - NASA

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The 5 Phases of a Total Solar Eclipse

There are five phases of a total solar eclipse:

The time when the eclipse begins
The time when totality begins
The time of peak totality
The time totality ends
The time when the eclipse ends

The exact time of each phase will depend on your location when you are viewing the eclipse. Some locations will have a larger window of totality than others. For example, in Vincennes, Indiana, eclipse viewers will experience 4 minutes and 5 seconds of totality. In Evansville, viewers the duration of totality is 3 minutes and 6 seconds.

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When Will the Eclipse Begin and End in Evansville, Indiana?

From beginning to end, the total solar eclipse will last around 2 hours and 35 minutes over Evansville. The partial eclipse is expected to begin at 12:45 pm Central Time. Totality is expected to begin at 2:02 pm Central Time with peak totality occurring at 2:04 pm Central Time.

What Time is Totality for the Solar Eclipse Over Evansville?

Totality is expected to end at 2:05 pm Central Time. During totality, viewers can expect the sky to go dark, with only the sun's corona visible. It us during these few minutes that the temperature can drop, and birds and animals often fall silent. Once the total eclipse ends, the moon will continue to move across the sky, and the sun will return. In Evansville, the moon is expected to make its full move, past the sun, at 3:20 pm Central Time.

Solar Eclipse Totality Times for Other Indiana Cities

To view eclipse times for other cities in Indiana, including Huntingburg, Bloomington, Terre Haute, Indianapolis, and more, visit Weather.gov. Then continue reading to learn what you should have packed with you in your car if you are traveling to view the eclipse.

2024 Total Solar Eclipse Travel Packing Guide

The total solar eclipse is coming on April 8, 2024, but before you load up the car to go see it, you will want to be sure you have planned accordingly. From making your plans to being prepared when you get there, our Eclipse Travel Packing Guide can help!

Gallery Credit: Kat Mykals