Total eclipse is coming April 8: What you need to know to see it in NH

Millions of Americans will turn their eyes to the sky April 8 for the Great North American Solar Eclipse, the rare occurrence set to be fully visible in northern New Hampshire and a host of other states.

Solar eclipse hunters and curious tourists are expected to descend upon New Hampshire, in addition to Maine and Vermont, next month to view the celestial spectacle. Communities in the northern part of each of the three states are within what is known as the coming eclipse’s path of totality, the areas that will be best to directly view the moon in perfect alignment with the sun.

The last time New Hampshire was in the direct path of a total solar eclipse was 1959, when a westward eclipse that began around India moved through the southern portion of the state, including right through Nashua. The next time New Hampshire will be in the path of totality during a solar eclipse won’t occur until 2079, according to the state.

What will eclipse look like in path of totality?

All New Hampshire municipalities north of Berlin will see the moon entirely blocking the sun as the eclipse passes through. Anywhere south of that in the Granite State, including communities in the Seacoast and Strafford County, would see between 94% and 96% totality, with a sliver of the sun poking out, according to John Gianforte, director of the University of New Hampshire Observatory.

But the difference between totality and a partial eclipse is striking, he noted.

‘If you’re in the path of totality … all of a sudden it will get dark, twilight dark, and it’s almost immediate. It takes two or three seconds for it to change. There’s this weird glow around the whole sky, like it's like a sunset. It’s really pretty. It’s really off-putting. It’s kind of a strange tinge of the sky that you’re not used to and it makes you take notice of it,” he said. “If it’s perfectly clear where you are when this happens, it’s weird in a beautiful way. It’s just something that’s uncommon.”

More: What is the path of totality for the total solar eclipse? Follow as it crosses the US.

Beginning around 3:30 p.m. on April 8, areas within the direct path of totality will be able to see the eclipse in all its glory for close to three minutes and 30 seconds, Gianforte added. The skies will darken and the temperature will drop without the Sun beaming in its entirety.

What is a total solar eclipse?

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) defines a total solar eclipse as an event wherein the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, leading to the sky darkening as if it were dawn or dusk.

Total solar eclipses occur exclusively in new moon phases, which happen each month.

“We have a new moon every month but we don’t have an eclipse every month because the orbit of the moon is tilted with respect to its orbit of the Earth. Sometimes the shadow of the moon, which is what causes the solar eclipse, passes above or below the Earth and it misses the Earth, or it hits the Earth in a place that you’re not, so you don’t see the eclipse,” Gianforte explained. “Eclipses happen pretty frequently over the surface of the Earth, but they happen rarely in a particular swath of territory that’s in the eclipse’s path.

“It’s not like eclipses are rare, but they’re rare over a particular place,” he added.

What happens during a total solar eclipse?

During a total solar eclipse, the moon casts two shadows: an umbral shadow and penumbral shadow. To view the solar eclipse in its totality, you need to be in an area that falls within the umbral shadow, while a partial eclipse can be seen by anyone within the penumbral shadow.

“There’s a big difference,” Gianforte said. “It’s like two different events. If you see a partial eclipse.. That’s very impressive, it’s very pretty, it’s really fun to watch … but a total solar eclipse is completely different. It’s much more awesome than the partial phases.”

The observatory director noted that the shadow of the total solar eclipse is about 100 to 150 miles wide, and the moon travels between 1,000 mph and about 2,500 mph.

Where are the best places to view the total solar eclipse in New Hampshire?

Granite State municipalities that will fall within the path of totality and the moon’s umbral shadow on April 8 include Berlin, Colebrook, Dixville, Milan, Northumberland and Pittsburg, among others.

Experts advise to get outside large cities, where there are tall buildings, for a clear view of the sky.

More: What's the best place to see the April 2024 solar eclipse?

Where is the path of totality for the total solar eclipse?

The April 8 total solar eclipse will pass through a large swath of North America, beginning in Mexico, moving northeast through the United States, passing through Canada and ending in the Atlantic Ocean. Fifteen states in America fall within the eclipse’s path of totality, including Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and parts of Tennessee and Michigan.

Where can I get eclipse glasses?

State officials urge residents and visitors to New Hampshire coming to witness the eclipse to utilize proper eclipse glasses for safe viewing. Regular sunglasses are not safe to wear.

More: Everything you need to know about solar eclipse glasses, including where to get them

The University of New Hampshire is hosting a total solar eclipse informational event on Wednesday, April 3 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. in DeMeritt Hall that’s open to the public. Eclipse glasses will be available.

“This is one of the most anticipated events this year, and we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors to experience this celestial phenomenon,” said New Hampshire Travel and Tourism Director Lori Harnois in a prepared statement. “We expect a significant influx of people, which has the potential to bring business to our tourism industry during a shoulder season. We do, however, want to remind residents and visitors alike to plan ahead, especially if you’re preparing to travel the day of the eclipse as there are limited routes in and out of the path of totality.”

The state’s Joint Information Center advised traveling skygazers to prepare for unpredictable weather, stock up their car with supplies, water and snacks, arrive early and leave late.

Major retailers, including Amazon, are selling eclipse glasses ahead of the event.

NH travel, lodging, safety tips ahead of the April 8 eclipse

Traffic could snarl in northern parts of New Hampshire before and after the eclipse, and Gianforte advised eclipse viewers to not drive on April 8.

Hotels upstate are offering lodging packages for those coming to view the eclipse, though rooms are being booked quickly.

“We just want people to think ahead as much as possible,” Gianforte said. “Be cautious, be conservative and just try to avoid driving on the 8th.”

A NASA official reported to the Associated Press that it typically takes 400 years to 1,000 years before the path of totality in a total solar eclipse returns to the same spot.

From Mexico to Newfoundland, roughly 44 million people live within the path of totality of the April 8 eclipse.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Total eclipse is coming April 8: How to see it in NH