‘Hallowed ground’: Where is the very center of eclipse’s path of totality in NE Ohio?

Dave Nethers
·2 min read
1

AVON LAKE, Ohio (WJW) — For the April 8 total solar eclipse, Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Avon Lake is literally going to be hallowed ground.

The church grounds are in the very center of the path of totality.

“That’s what I have heard that the line literally goes through right here, so that’s pretty exciting,” said Pastor Laura Kuntz.

What will the weather be for the April 8 eclipse?

“We expect a lot of people to be right here, the lake is right across the street, we are right on the line, so we expect a lot of people to be coming into the city,” she added.

Many “eclipse chasers” believe that the only place to witness a total solar eclipse is from that center line.

“Eclipse chasing is a thing, kind of like storm chasing, but less dangerous and more expensive,” said Dr. Angela Speck, a co-chairperson for the American Astronomical Society’s Solar Eclipse Task Force.

“If you are not in the path of totality, you do not experience a total eclipse,” she told Fox 8 News.

Outside of that path of totality, she explained, there is no such thing as a 99.9% total eclipse.

“Even if you are only just outside by just a couple of miles, and it says 99.9% of the sun is covered up, that means you still have .1% of the sun showing, which is a thousandth of the sun, and that’s still too much light,” explained Speck.

Avon Lake businesses prepare before solar eclipse

“There’s no such thing as a 99% total eclipse,” said Dr. Rick Feinberg of the AAS, during a recent press seminar shared with Fox 8. “There is such thing as a 99% partial eclipse. There’s no such thing as being 99% pregnant. It’s all or nothing, so that’s why you should get into the path.”

And Speck says you do not need to be right on the center line of the path of totality to witness a total eclipse.

The path of totality through Ohio is approximately 115 miles wide. Speck says if you are anywhere in that path you will see a total eclipse.

“The closer to the center of that path you are the more time you get in darkness,” said Speck

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.