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Total Eclipse Indiana 2024

Come and immerse yourself in an exceptional FREE experience at  our ECLIPSE VIEWING FESTIVAL, set against the stunning backdrop of Holcomb Observatory’s lush green surroundings. Join us at this unique destination to revel in the splendor of this extraordinary celestial event, particularly if you’re a passionate astronomy enthusiast!

Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium is excited to once again be your foremost choice for all things astronomy as we approach the eagerly anticipated major celestial occurrence. On eclipse day, provided the weather is favorable, we eagerly anticipate introducing you to our Eclipse Viewing Festival. This grand celebration will showcase a diverse array of captivating eclipse-related activities that you won’t want to miss.

In the weeks leading up to the eclipse, we will provide an array of public programs to prepare you for this celestial phenomenon.

A telescope with a safe solar filter attachedOn the day of the eclipse, you can expect these unique offerings:

  • More than a dozen telescopes, all equipped with solar filters for safe observation.
  • Opportunities to safely witness solar activity, including sunspots.
  • The availability of eclipse glasses to ensure your viewing safety.
  • The presence of scientific experts who will be on hand to answer your questions.
  • Engaging demonstrations showcasing various safe eclipse observation techniques.
  • Fascinating planetarium shows (from now up to the day of the eclipse)
  • A live stream of the eclipse directly from Holcomb Observatory.

Furthermore, we are proud to have a team of scientific experts and seasoned veterans of previous total solar eclipses on hand. They will be here to enlighten you about the eclipse, provide valuable insights on what to watch for as totality approaches, and offer guidance throughout the entire event, from its inception to its conclusion.

Although we are several months away from this remarkable celestial occurrence, Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium is committed to delivering educational programming and events dedicated to this eclipse. These offerings will commence well in advance of the total eclipse and continue on the day of the event itself. Be sure to explore our current lineup of eclipse programming to equip yourself for what promises to be the Super Bowl of astronomical events.

Join us for an unforgettable experience as we celebrate this extraordinary event together.

If you’re interested in gaining further insights into the upcoming eclipse, please join us for one of our public open evenings at the Holcomb Observatory on October 13, 20, 21, 27, & 28.

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  • When will the eclipse be? – On April 8, 2024, at 3:06 PM EDT the long total solar eclipse drought will finally end for Indianapolis when the circle city experiences its first total solar eclipse in 819 years!  The various phases and times of the eclipse can be found here for your particular location. Our next total solar eclipse in Indianapolis will not be until October of 2153.
  • Where will the eclipse be? – Though all of Indiana will experience a partial solar eclipse only southeastern half of the state will be in the path of totality, with the exception of some areas along the Ohio river.  The path of totality will be about 115 miles wide and will stretch from near Friendship to Frankfort with Franklin on the center line.  Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium, one of the largest public observatories in the nation, and Indianapolis will be near the center of the path.  Outside of this path of totality the Sun will remain shining though at a reduced amount and you cannot look directly at the Sun without protection during its partial phases.
  • Why  should I be in the path of totality? – In the path of totality is where all the magic occurs!   As totality nears the birds will begin to roost, insects will begin chirping, the sky will take on a strange hue as the Moon’s shadow comes toward you at 2000 mph from the southwest, it will then get dark, the brighter stars and planets will appear, and the totally eclipsed Sun will appear as a black orb with its beautiful outer corona revealed.  So make sure that you get yourself into the path of totality, even if it is just a couple of miles within the path!  Just remember that even if you have a 99% partially eclipsed Sun, it is still 0% totality and you’d miss all the wonderful magic.
  • How long will totality will last?   – During totality the Moon will completely cover the Sun causing day to turn quickly to twilight. At the very center of the path the Sun will be totally eclipsed for nearly four minutes. For the Indianapolis area, totality will last roughly 3 minutes 50 seconds.  The partial phases (eye protection required) will last roughly 1 hour 20 minutes either side of totality.
  • Is it safe to be outside during the eclipse? – Absolutely!  Sunlight during an eclipse is no different than normal. Just wear proper eye protection to look directly at the Sun. You should never look directly at the Sun without solar viewing glasses or filters sold by astronomical specialists which block more than 99.999% of visible light and 100% of Infrared and Ultraviolet light.  Holcomb Observatory will be selling eclipse glasses in the run up to the eclipse.
  • How rare are total solar eclipses? – Your chances of seeing a total solar eclipse at any given location on the Earth is roughly once every 375 years.  It’s not that total solar eclipses are rare in how often they occur — they occur every year or two somewhere on the Earth’s surface — it’s that width of the totality is relatively small at around 100 miles.  So they are literally a once in a lifetime event.
  • How can I learn more? – As we eagerly await the upcoming extraordinary celestial occurrence, our planetarium is gearing up for an exclusive focus on the solar eclipse. Our captivating fulldome feature film, titled ‘Eclipse: Unveiling the Sun,’ offers a comprehensive exploration of this awe-inspiring celestial phenomenon, ensuring our viewers are well-prepared for the highly anticipated Great American Eclipse of 2024. For showtimes, please refer to our schedule, and if you’re interested in arranging a group tour, that’s an option too.”

A picture of showing the upcoming planetarium show Eclipse; The Sun Revelaed

Eclipse glasses will be available at all shows at a cost of $2 per pair

  • Group Tours – To prepare yourself and your companions for the upcoming eclipse(s), consider arranging a private group tour. Given the significance of this impending astronomical event, we strongly advise group tours to select our planetarium program, “Eclipse: The Sun Revealed.” This program offers comprehensive insights into the most remarkable spectacle in the sky, ensuring that audiences are well-prepared for the Great American Eclipse of 2024.
  • Fall 2023 – We have an appetizer before the main event in April of 2024.   On October 14, 2023 we’ll have a partial solar eclipse in Indiana.  Nearly 50% of the Sun will be covered by the Moon.   During September and October our  public programming at Holcomb Observatory will focus on this eclipse.  And if skies are clear we’ll have public viewing of the partial eclipse.  Our feature fulldome planetarium show will be Eclipse: The Sun Revealed focusing on the total solar eclipse coming to Indiana in April 2024.
  • February to April 2024  – We will be hosting eclipse-related activities on the Butler University campus before and on the day of the total eclipse.  Once Again our feature fulldome planetarium show will be Eclipse: The Sun Revealed focusing on the total solar eclipse coming to Indiana in April 2024.
  • The Big day! April 8th, 2024 –  Join us for our Eclipse Festival on the day of the eclipse.  We will have both  a live web feed of the solar eclipse and we will have a number of solar telescopes available for public viewing on the green spaces surrounding Holcomb Observatory for viewing the eclipse.   Note that eclipse glasses are also fine also!  But our telescopes will have solar filters and allow visitors to see the partial portion of the solar eclipse in much more detail.  So not only can you watch the Moon  slowly cover the Sun,  you’ll also be able to see the many sunspots on the solar surface.  Keep in mind this is all weather dependent of course!

A telescope will not needed to view this eclipse; just proper safety eye wear during partial phases such eclipse glasses, or indirect viewing methods such as the pinhole method or mirror projection method.

It is safe to be outside during an eclipse. Sunlight during an eclipse is no different than normal. Just wear proper eye protection to look directly at the Sun. You should never look directly at the Sun without solar viewing glasses or filters sold by astronomical specialists which block more than 99.999% of visible light and 100% of Infrared and Ultraviolet light. The only time the Sun can be viewed directly is during totality when it is safe to remove your eclipse viewers.

Eclipse phases and needed eye safety. Image text" A total solar eclipse is about as bright as the full Moon - and just as safe to look at. But the Sun at any other time is dangerously bright. View it only through special-purpose solar filters that comply with the transmission requirements of the ISO 12312-2 international standard for filters for direct viewing of the Sun.

Here are our recommendations for viewing any solar eclipse:

 
  • 831 (May15)  — The last Total Solar Eclipse visible from Butler University
  • 1205 (September 14)—The last Total Solar Eclipse visible from what was to become the circle city (Only SW side of Indy had a Total Solar Eclipse)
  • 1806 (June 16) — Total Solar Eclipse over northern half of Indiana (not over Indianapolis)
  • 1869 (August 7) — The last Total Solar Eclipse to occur anywhere in Indiana (covered the southwest 1/3rd of  Indiana, not Indianapolis,  just barely into SW Marion County)
  • 1994 (May 10)—The last Annular Solar Eclipse visible in Indianapolis
  • 2017 (August 21)—The last Partial Solar Eclipse visible from Indianapolis
  • 2021 (May 26)—The last Partial Lunar Eclipse visible from Indianapolis
  • 2022 (November 8) —The last Total Lunar Eclipse visible from Indianapolis
  • 2023 (October 14)—The next Partial Solar Eclipse visible from Indianapolis
  • 2024 (March 24) — The next Penumbral Lunar Eclipse visible from Indianapolis
  • 2024 (April 8)—The next Total Solar Eclipse visible from Indianapolis—the first in 819 years!
  • 2024 (September 17) — The next Partial Lunar Eclipse visible from Indianapolis
  • 2025 (March 13) — The next Total Lunar Eclipse visible from Indianapolis
  • 2093 (July 23)—The next Annular Solar Eclipse visible in Indianapolis
  • 2153 (October 17) — The next Total Solar Eclipse (after the 2024 eclipse) visible from Indianapolis.