Hello, I'm WTL 11 at chief
meteorologist Chris Vickers.
We continue to prepare you for what
you need to know about the total
solar eclipse on April 8th, 2024.
In the next few moments,
I will take you through the top three
things to know about the upcoming total
solar eclipse and an idea of what that
total solar eclipse may look like.
It is going to be our goal to inform,
educate and prepare you for
that total solar eclipse.
Now we've already taken a deep
look into answering the question.
Of what is a total solar eclipse?
You could see more on wto.com,
our WTO 11 YouTube page, and on WTL 11 plus.
But let's take one more look at
exactly what it will look like.
A total solar eclipse happens when the
moon passes in between the Sun and the Earth.
Now at that point it is completely
blocking the face of the sun.
The umbra is where the shadow is complete.
A total eclipse of the Sun now.
The width of that shadow on the face
of the earth is very, very narrow,
only about 110 miles wide as it
passes directly over northern Ohio.
The outer shadow, or circle,
is called the penumbra that shows
the extent of the partial eclipse.
We'll have more on wto11.com,
W2L11 plus,
and on our YouTube page about
what a total solar eclipse is.
Now let's get into the three things that
you need to know as you get prepared
for the upcoming total solar eclipse.
In the path of totality,
it is everything.
When it comes to a solar eclipse,
it is where the moon shadow as we
described the umbra is complete.
The sun at this point is 100% eclipsed.
This last happened in Ohio in 1806.
The next total solar eclipse in Ohio
is going to be in the year 2099.
It is safe to say that this may be a
once in a lifetime opportunity for you
to be within the path of totality and view.
Total solar eclipse Next up
with the path of totality.
That path of totality is very
narrow across the face of the earth.
It is just over 110 miles across as it
makes its way through northern Ohio.
The time and totality,
while it will vary significantly
from location to location,
is on average just less than 3 minutes.
Now our capital here in Northwest Ohio
of the longest time in totality is
going to be forest, Ohio at three minutes.
And 56 seconds.
We have a detailed breakdown on w2l11.com,
our YouTube page,
and on W2L11 Plus detailing many
cities here in Northwest Ohio and
exactly how long the totality is and
when that's Max Eclipse will begin.
Totality or 100% eclipse means everything.
It is the difference between seeing
the Suns corona and missing out
entirely on what a lunch once in
a lifetime opportunity this guy
at this time during totality.
Will darken it almost appear
like early Dawn or late
dusk. The stars and planets may
actually be visible for a certain time.
Unusual things may happen, St.
lights may come on,
headlights may come on in the darkness,
and even perhaps unusual things
like animals acting differently.
We'll have more with meteorologist
John Birchfield on how pets and
wildlife may react to the unusual
nature of a total solar eclipse #2.
It is going to be the spectacle.
Of the decade.
A once in a lifetime opportunity.
The reason why that lure of
totality will bring millions of
visitors to the path of totality.
That path of totality will make
its way across the United States on
the afternoon of April 8th, 2024.
Now major impacts could be
expected to our schools,
many of which have already
scheduled that day off of school,
businesses, travel and leisure,
perhaps even days before,
during and days after
the total solar eclipse.
Be prepared that week for a
major disruptions and it to be
the spectacle of the decade.
The number one thing that you will
be able to see during the total solar
eclipse that you need to be prepared
for a view of the sun's corona.
And again,
this could be a once in a
lifetime to view the solar corona.
Now what is the corona?
It is the outermost part of
the sun's atmosphere.
Typically this can never be seen without
very specialized instrumentation and
when we see a total solar eclipse,
it is an opportunity.
For us with our very eyes to remove
our solar glasses only during totality
and actually have an opportunity to
peer up and view the sun's corona
now it is mainly composed of plasma,
which is very hot ionized gases.
The view of the sun's corona
is exceptionally rare.
It can only be seen for a few short
minutes during the path of totality.
For many areas across northern Ohio,
that may only range from about
2 1/2 minutes to three minutes,
and some areas up to about 3 1/2.
For close to 4 minutes it is millions
of times less dense the corona itself,
and hundreds of times hotter
than the sun itself.
So the solar corona is a very very
light mixture of plasma and light
gases that is hundreds of times hotter
than the surface of the sun itself.
So let's break down what that may
actually look like during totality.
The moon at this point again is
completely blocking the face of the sun.
We call this 100%.
Eclipsed we are not able to see
any of the direct solar rays,
but from around there we have a
good view of the sun's corona.
That sun's corona will glow
around the disk of the moon.
It is 10 a million times less
dense than the sun itself.
And at this time it will be an
opportunity for our very eyes to
be able to see the coronal loops,
streamers and plumes that may emanate
from the sun and the solar magnetic field.
As I mentioned, it is an extremely hot.
Outer portion of the sun's
atmosphere scientists speculate on
reasons why the corona is so hot,
and that does beg the question,
why is the corona so hot?
Many experts suspect that eruptions
from the sun, called heat bombs,
could possibly explain why the outer
atmosphere of the sun itself is hotter
than the actual surface of the sun.
Another possible explanation is
something called solar tornadoes.
Could you imagine that those are
giant vertical spirals of plasma
interacting with the sun's.
Magnetic fields.
Something that would be incredible
to see with our very own eyes.
It could be only seen during
the time of totality,
your opportunity to view the sun's corona.
Our coverage of the total solar eclipse
on April 8th, 2024 will continue.
We hope to keep you updated,
educated and informed.
Stay with us and the W2L11 weather team,
and please be sure to check out all we
have available for you on W2, l.com, W2L.
One plus and on our YouTube page.