Solar eclipse on April 8 to offer spectacular sky show, independent learning day for DeKalb students

Get ready for a spectacular celestial show on tomorrow, April 8, 2024. That’s when a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

Locally, the DeKalb County School District is designating Monday as an independent learning day so that families may have the chance to watch the eclipse.  Nearly every other metro Atlanta district, however, including Atlanta Public Schools, City of Decatur, Clayton, Fulton, Gwinnett and Rockdale counties will be open and operate as usual on Monday.

Millions of people are expected to witness the rare event as  the sun completely darkened by the moon’s shadow. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk. The event is one that NASA says is not expected to be seen again in the contiguous U.S. until Aug. 23, 2044.

“In observance of the Great American Eclipse on April 8, DCSD will designate this day as an independent learning day for students and school-based employees,” DCSD announced after officials decided on March 30 to close DeKalb public schools.  “This decision allows for the creation of safe viewing and educational experiences related to the partial solar eclipse, which will be visible in DeKalb County from 1:45 p.m. to 4:21 p.m. While Georgia will not witness the full eclipse, the partial view still offers a unique learning opportunity.”

The moment of darkness could last up to 4 minutes in some places, officials say. Since Atlanta is outside of the “path of totality,” there won’t be complete darkness in the metro area. Those watching n the metro area, however, will still experience an amazing view—about 82% percent of totality—as the moon passes between the Earth and the sun at 3:04 p.m.

The partial eclipse in the Atlanta area begins at 1:45 p.m. with the maximum visibility at 3:04 p.m., and ends at 4:21 p.m.

You don’t need to live within the path of totality to see the eclipse –99% of people who reside in the U.S. will be able to see the partial or total eclipse from where they live. Every contiguous U.S. state, plus parts of Alaska and Hawaii, will experience at least a partial solar eclipse.

NASA is reminding the public that certified solar viewing glasses must be worn at all times while viewing the solar eclipse—from the beginning of the partial eclipse until the end. Looking directly at the sun can cause severe eye injury.

Viewing any part of the bright sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics also will cause severe eye injury, according to NASA.

Cool places to view, where you might find eclipse glasses

From the peak of Arabia Mountain to the wide-open meadows at Vaughters’ Farm, the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area in the City of Stonecrest has many prime viewing locations for this year’s partial Solar Eclipse Across America on April 8. Stop by the Arabia Alliance’s office at 3350 Klondike Road in Stonecrest for some free “eclipse glasses” to help view this cool celestial event. Limited supply, one pair per person.

National chains including Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Staples, 7-Eleven and Kroger are are selling eclipse glasses but availability can vary by location, according to the Astronomical Society.