How much of Carroll County will be in viewing area?

By Carol McIntire

Editor

Just how much of the April 8 total solar eclipse Carroll County residents will be able to view varies according to different maps, but it is still generating a great deal of interest.

“Carroll County is not in the full or partial totality areas and is listed as outside the totality area,” noted Tom Cottis, Carroll County Emergency Management (EMA) director. “Because of the way people will flow to the path of darkness, I do not see a big traffic increase in Carroll County and there are no big events here, so I don’t see a big impact on the county.”  

Carrollton, Malvern, Minerva and Conotton Valley School are closed that day. Carrollton Schools also canceled all sporting events.

However, that doesn’t mean county residents aren’t excited and hoping to get a glimpse of the total eclipse, which for some, is a once-in-a-lifetime event. 

What is a total solar eclipse?

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon is totally obscured by the sun with the moon’s shadow being cast onto the earth’s surface as it passes between the earth and sun. 

The April 8 total solar eclipse will be the first to enter Ohio since 1806.

There have only been 21 total solar eclipses that occurred in the lower 48 states of the United States. Following the April 8 event, the next total solar eclipse will not occur in North America until 2044. Ohio will not experience a total solar eclipse until 2099, according to the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (EMA). 

Locations for viewing, 

how long will it last?

According to information released by EMA, the April 8 solar eclipse will begin over the South Pacific Ocean and pass over the countries of Mexico, United States and Canada. In the United States, it will begin in Texas and pass through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. 

In Ohio, totality (total darkness) will enter through Darke County (western border of the state) at approximately 3 p.m. and exit through Lorain County (near Avon Lake) at approximately 3:10 p.m. which means it will take about 10 minutes to travel across the state. Three will be a period of two-to-four minutes of total darkness in certain areas due to the closer proximity the moon will be to earth. 

The path of the eclipse is 124 miles wide. 

Where in Ohio can the eclipse be viewed?

According to EMA’s Ohio eclipse areas map, Carroll County lies outside the totality area along with 32 other counties, mostly in the southeastern areas of the state, where a partial eclipse will take place. Although maps vary as what counties are included in the area, Carroll County is on the edge of the partial eclipse area. Some areas in the northeast corner of the county may see the partial eclipse as Stark County is included in that area. 

Nine counties in the state, Darke, Auglaize, Lorain, Seneca, Erie, Hardin, Shelby (NW corner), Wyandot and Huron intersect with the center line of totality.

Twenty-six counties lie within the full totality area and 20 counties only have part of their county falling within the area of totality on both sides of the center line of totality. Stark county lies with the partial totality line. Carroll, Columbiana, Tuscarawas and counties to the east are located outside the totality areas, according to the EMA map.

Viewing the eclipse

It is never safe to view a solar eclipse without proper eye safety equipment. During a solar eclipse, when the moon moves away from blocking the sun, a person can get an immediate severe eye injury (solar burn on their retina). The Carroll County General Health District advises that when viewing a solar eclipse, you should always watch through solar eclipse glasses or a safe handheld solar viewer. 

Eclipse glasses

Eclipse glasses are different than sunglasses. When purchasing solar eclipse glasses ensure that they comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard. An ISO standard indicates that these glasses have been tested and are shown to be safe for the user. 

Do not look through a camera lens, telescope, or binoculars even if you are wearing solar eclipse glasses. A special-purpose solar filter must be placed over the front of these objects to avoid a severe eye injury. Cameras, telescopes and binoculars zoom in even closer on the solar rays requiring a special purpose solar filter.

Where are glasses available?

The Carroll County General Health District is promoting eye safety and is providing the following list of retailers selling find solar eclipse glasses in Carroll County:

Discount Drug Mart Carrollton Location: (Address: 592 12th St. NW, Carrollton, OH 44615).

Raven & Wolf Crystal Shop & Art Studio: (Address: 703 Canton Rd. NW, Suite 6, Carrollton, OH 44615).

Speedway Carrollton Locations: (Address: 1120 Canton Rd. NW, Carrollton, OH 44615) & (Address: 44 Canton Rd. NW, Carrollton, OH 44615).

Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District: Eclipse glasses are available with campsite registration or through event participation. Please see the website for more information,  www.mwcd.org/. Visit the Ohio Department of Health’s website for more information on safely viewing a solar eclipse: (https://odh.ohio.gov/media-center/feature-stories/solar-eclipse-is-coming-to-ohio)

Approved standards for eclipse glasses can be found  at: https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/ how-to-tell-if-viewers-are-safe.