Where to see the total solar eclipse in Kentucky on April 8th
On April 8th, a total solar eclipse will sweep from Texas to Maine, offering millions the chance to see totality. Here’s what you need to know about viewing the eclipse in Kentucky.
Cloud cover could block eclipse view for southern Plains
Eclipse viewers in Texas are hoping the forecast improves by Monday to allow a glimpse of the total solar eclipse.
From Bardwell to Henderson, including Paducah, a swath of western Kentucky will be plunged into darkness when the Moon blocks out the Sun during America’s total solar eclipse on April 8th.
FOX WEATHER WIRE LIVE COVERAGE: TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE APRIL 2024
Other major cities in the Bluegrass State, like Louisville, Frankfort and Lexington, will experience a partial solar eclipse.
Here’s what you need to know about viewing the eclipse in Kentucky.
What is a total solar eclipse?
A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun for several minutes.
A composite image of the total solar eclipse seen from the Lowell Observatory Solar Eclipse Experience August 21, 2017 in Madras, Oregon.
(Stan Honda / Getty Images)
From partial eclipse through totality, the process takes several hours. The final moments before totality include displays of light known as Baily's Beads and the Diamond Ring caused by the pock-marked surface of the Moon.
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Where can I see the total solar eclipse in Kentucky?
The path of totality will only be visible across a small section of western Kentucky, beginning in the Bardwell area near the borders of Missouri and Illinois and ending in the Henderson area south of the Indiana border.
Residents and visitors to cities like Mayfield, Bowling Green, Louisville and Lexington will be close to the path of totality but will only experience a partial eclipse on April 8th.
However, all of Kentucky will have a great show if the weather cooperates, as the state will see 90% coverage or higher.
Total solar eclipse path for Kentucky and Illinois on April 8, 2024.
(FOX Weather)
What time is the solar eclipse in 2024?
A total solar eclipse is an hours-long event from partial eclipse through totality and partial eclipse again. However, totality will last between a few seconds to over 4 minutes, depending on where you are within the 115-mile path of totality.
The first signs of the crescent of a partial eclipse in Kentucky will happen in Bardwell at 12:42 p.m. CDT with totality at 1:59 p.m. and the final partial eclipse ending at 3:17 p.m.
During the total solar eclipse, Bardwell will experience 2 minutes and 7 seconds of totality.
This image shows information for the total solar eclipse in Paducah, Kentucky, on April 8, 2024.
(FOX Weather)
The partial eclipse in Paducah will begin at 12:42 p.m. CDT with totality at 2 p.m. and the final part of the eclipse ending at 3:18 p.m.
Paducah will experience 1 minute and 35 seconds of totality.
This image shows information for the partial solar eclipse in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 8, 2024.
(FOX Weather)
Louisville won’t be in the path of totality. But with 98.9% coverage, it will be pretty close.
The first partial eclipse begins in Louisville at 1:49 p.m. EDT, with max coverage experienced at 3:07 p.m.
The final partial eclipse will end at 4:22 p.m.
What will the weather be like in Kentucky for the eclipse?
A clear sky is key to watching a total solar eclipse.
TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE LIVE TRACKER: CLOUD FORECASTS FOR CITIES, STATES IN PATH OF TOTALITY
The FOX Forecast Center has put together the cloud cover forecast shown on the map below, showing areas with an overcast sky, many clouds or few clouds during the eclipse. As the eclipse nears, computer forecast models will improve and be able to give forecasters a better idea of what the sky will look like on the big day.
(FOX Weather)
(FOX Weather)
TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE FORECAST SHOWS WHO HAS BEST CHANCE FOR CLEAR SKIES ON APRIL 8TH
Check back with FOX Weather for updates to the forecast as the date of the eclipse approaches, and add your viewing location to the "Events" tab in the FOX Weather app.
What to know about traveling to Kentucky for the 2024 solar eclipse
Eclipse travel searches spike 1,100% for stays along path of totality
We're officially less than one month away from America's total solar eclipse. The last total eclipse in the U.S. was back in 2017. After this one, the next isn't until 2044. So how can you make sure you enjoy this celestial event to the fullest? Travel expert Dayvee Sutton joins FOX Weather to tell you how.
If you're traveling to Kentucky for the total solar eclipse on April 8th and you haven't booked your flights, hotel or Airbnb stay, you're almost out of time.
Many people have had hotels booked or spots reserved for months, if not years, ahead of the event.
If you're lucky enough to be in Kentucky for the eclipse, the state has several events set up to make the most out of your visit.
Eclipse tourism surge in 2023-2024.
(FOX Weather)
When is the next total solar eclipse in the US?
After April 8, 2024, the next total solar eclipse won't happen in parts of the U.S. until 2044. According to Timeanddate.com, it will cover a swath of Canada and a small portion of the northern Plains. Another eclipse in August 2045 will cover a much larger portion of the U.S.