OCALA, FL (352today.com) – On Monday, the orbit of the moon will cross between the sun and the Earth, blocking out the light of the sun creating the phenomenon known as a solar eclipse.
While Florida is not in the direct path of eclipse totality, there will still be an opportunity to witness a partial eclipse for residents in the 352.
What Time to Watch & What to Expect
In North Central Florida, NASA says the partial eclipse will begin around 1:45 p.m. EDT. The maximum point of the eclipse will be around 3:00 p.m. EDT, the best time to see the eclipse. The partial eclipse is expected to be over by 4:17 p.m. EDT.
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NASA has produced an interactive map it calls Eclipse Explorer. It allows you enter a city name and it will tell you what to expect regarding timing, weather conditions and how much of the sun will be obscured.
According to the tool, Ocala residents can expect roughly 61% of the sun to be covered by the moon.
|INTERACTIVE MAP: Check the eclipse timing for your hometown
Eclipse Weather Forecast
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the weather in the Ocala/Gainesville area on April 8 looks favorable for proper viewing of the eclipse. The NWS forecast calls for partly sunny conditions with a high of 82 degrees. Winds will be 6 to 10 mph.
Where to Watch
To celebrate the occasion on Monday, a few places are holding solar eclipse watch parties around the area:
- Solar Eclipse Observation: UF Campus Teaching Observatory will be open to the public for FREE from 1:30 – 4 p.m. Address is 32611 Sweetwater Drive in Gainesville. Eclipse glasses and solar telescopes will be available.
- Eclipse Viewing Event: Kika Silva Pla Planetarium on the campus of Santa Fe College at 3000 NW 83rd St., Ste X-129, in Gainesville hosts this FREE event from 1:45 – 4:15 p.m. Eclipse glasses will be provided while supplies last.
- Eclipse Viewing: Umatilla Public Library located at 412 Hatfield Dr. in Umatilla will host a FREE viewing event including safety glasses while supplies last. The viewing event starts at 2:30 p.m.
- Not So Total Solar Eclipse: University of Central Florida hosts this FREE event which starts at 2 p.m. at the reflecting pond on campus. Address is 4000 Central Boulevard in Orlando. Advance registration is required to receive glasses. Limited to two per registrant.
- Party Eclipse and Earth Day Celebration: Kennedy Space Center is hosting a watch party from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Space Commerce Way in Merritt Island. Tickets required and prices vary. Safety glasses provided.
If you plan on enjoying your eclipse experience on your own, the American Astronomical Society (AAS) implores that you remember to protect your eyes. AAS states that, without proper protection, people could experience solar retinopathy, more commonly known as “eclipse blindness.” This can cause burning effects to your retina, resulting in potentially permanent eye damage.
NASA will host live coverage of the eclipse online starting at 1:00 p.m. and ending at 4:00 p.m. The live feed will include shots of the eclipse in real time and will feature appearances from NASA experts and astronauts aboard space stations. You can watch the livestream of the event on the NASA website.
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NASA also released a downloadable pamphlet chock full of information including how to make your own eclipse projector.
If you miss Monday’s eclipse, NASA says you’ll have to wait 20 years. The next one that will be visible in the U.S. will occur on Aug. 23, 2044.