Solar eclipse in Orlando: How to watch the celestial event

Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel
Updated ·4 min read
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While millions of people plan to travel for the solar eclipse on April 8 to behold its celestial glory in the path of totality, Central Floridians can still find ways to view and enjoy this astronomical event.

In the Orlando area, Sunshine State residents and visitors can see the moon pass directly between the sun and Earth at around 59 percent of totality. Central Florida’s eclipse viewing will start around 1:46 p.m. on Monday, peaking at 3:03 p.m. and ending at 4:17 p.m.

“It’s going to look like someone took a big, crescent-shaped bite out of the sun. It’s still going to be very cool to see,” said Derek Demeter, director of the Emil Buehler Planetarium at Seminole State College. “You cannot view this eclipse from Central Florida without some type of eclipse glasses that can be used to see the eclipse.”

The path of totality in North America for the 2024 eclipse spans from Texas to Niagara Falls and into New England, passing directly over San Antonio, Dallas, Indianapolis and Cleveland. Demeter plans to travel to Arkansas to search for the best viewing location and to set up a livestream on YouTube.

“When the eclipse happens, the sky gets dark, the temperature drops and animals act weird because they don’t know what’s happening,” he said. “It’s something that really stops you. If you’re in the path of totality, it gets dark for a couple of minutes.”

While humans have been able to predict eclipses for several thousand years, Demeter said these celestial events have often marked a paradigm shift or major events.

“Alexander the Great had claimed he won this battle over the Persians because of a lunar eclipse,” he said. “People all around the world have seen eclipses as a chance for victory or a bad luck event that was associated with it.”

While the 2024 eclipse won’t appear in totality in the Sunshine State, Floridians have something big to look forward to in about 20 years.

“On Aug. 12, 2045, there is going to be a total solar eclipse going right over Central Florida,” Demeter said. “The center line will literally cross the path of Cinderella’s Castle at Disney. It’s going to be considered one of the longest eclipses of modern time, about 6 minutes and 30 seconds.”

There’s something special about rocket launches, dramatic moonrises, stargazing and eclipses that all capture the imagination of humans.

“It’s a chance for us to be connected with the movement of the cosmos. You can see the real-time movement of the moon’s orbit as it slowly covers the sun,” Demeter said. “It gives you a chance to stop and see what’s happening in the universe around you. It’s something different.”

Eclipse events around Central Florida

  • The Emil Buehler Planetarium at Seminole State College hosts a total solar eclipse livestream from 1:30-3 p.m. April 8 on YouTube. More information: seminolestate.edu/planet

  • Orlando Science Center gathers curious astronomers for an eclipse viewing party. Tickets are $27 per adult, $25 for seniors and students, $21 for youth and $3 for guests younger than 2. Members need to reserve tickets in advance. Each ticket holder will receive a pair of eclipse glasses. Tickets are available in timed-entry slots from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 8 at 777 E. Princeton St. in Orlando. More information: osc.org/solar-eclipse

  • Orange County Regional History Center presents a “Solar Celebration” and viewing party with themed games, activities and crafts. Eclipse glasses and a solar telescope are available to guests. The free-admission event is from 2:30-4 p.m. at 65 E. Central Blvd. in Orlando. More information: thehistorycenter.org

  • University of Central Florida hosts a “Not So Total Solar Eclipse 2024” event for people to enjoy the partial obscuration of the sun at the eclipse’s peak. UCF’s astronomers and physicists will give talks by the Reflecting Pond on the main campus while attendees can view the eclipse through complimentary glasses. Explore the event from 2-4 p.m. April 8 at 12820 Gemini Blvd. S. in Orlando. More information: events.ucf.edu

  • Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex presents an eclipse and Earth Day Celebration with a live broadcast and eclipse viewing glasses. Businesses and conservation groups will be on-site with booths about sustainability. The event is included with the price of admission, which is $75 for adults and $65 for children ages 3-11. Enjoy the festivities from 2-5 p.m. April 8 at Space Commerce Way in Merritt Islan. More information: kennedyspacecenter.com

Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com.