Millions to view solar eclipse
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)– Today mid-Michiganders will have the chance to see something that experts say won’t be back until 2045 – a solar eclipse.
“As the earth and moon move up and move in space, that shadow will move across the earth in a path that we call the path of totality. And so, if you are in that path of totality, you will get to see the moon completely cover the sun,” Shannon Schmoll, director of the Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University.
According to Schmoll, during the eclipse, the sky will get dark, we will see a 360-degree sunset, and also notice some bright stars and planets.
In mid-Michigan, it will appear as a partial solar eclipse, but the moon will still cover almost all of the sun.
“We have about 96% coverage, just a little bit more. So, at maximum eclipse, we’ll see a little crescent still of the sun and there’s still a lot of sunlight coming out of that. You might feel the lighting change, it might feel a little eerie, the temperature might drop,” Schmoll said.
Schmoll said it’ll be about a two-and-a-half-hour-long event starting from when the moon starts to cover the sun around 2 p.m., with maximum coverage for us happening at 3:12 p.m.
“So, make sure you’re outside around then to check that out with your proper eye protection. But if you are able to and are interested in traveling to the path of totality, Toledo Ohio is one of the best, the closest places for us to go see the totality,” Schmoll said.
6 News will be hosting a viewing party to witness this phenomenon at Frances Park in Lansing and Nixon Park in Jackson- it begins at 2 on Monday afternoon.
Our meteorologists will be there along with safety glasses – while supplies last – to protect your eyes while you watch.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
