James A Garfield

2024 Total Solar Eclipse

 
Illustrated map of Ohio and surrounding area; a dark band runs from the lower left to the upper right, representing the path of the moon’s shadow during the eclipse; oblong purple ovals within this band represent the moon’s shadow at particular times.
An excerpt of a NASA map shows the path and timing of the eclipse over Ohio.

NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio

Join us at Mentor Civic Amphitheatre for the Eclipse Watch Party!

On Monday, April 8, 2024 Mentor will be in the path of totality of the total solar eclipse. A total eclipse occurs when the moon appears to totally obscure the sun. On average, this occurs somewhere on Earth only once every 1.5 years. The last total solar eclipse visible in Ohio was in 1806. The next one to pass over Ohio is predicted for 2099.

On the day of the eclipse, James A. Garfield National Historic Site will be closed. Instead, please join park rangers, NASA and community partners at the Mentor Civic Amphitheater (8600 Munson Road, Mentor) for an Eclipse Watch Party! This FREE outdoor event is from 1 pm - 5 pm, and will include eclipse related activities, music, food trucks and more! Cloudy day? Don't worry! The progress of the eclipse will be tracked on videoscreens as it comes into view at 3:14 pm for 3 minutes and 48 seconds of totality.

Make sure to visit the NPS tent for the special edition Eclipse Junior Ranger book (for children up to age 12) and eclipse glasses (for children only). Junior Ranger badges will also be issued to all participating children! Supplies are limited; a digital copy of the Junior Ranger book may be downloaded here.

Admission and parking are free.

Safe Eclipse Viewing

It is never safe to look directly at the sun without eclipse rated eye protection. The one exception is during totality, which lasts only a few minutes. At all other times, the light of the sun can cause permanent eye damage after only a few seconds of unprotected viewing.

It is safe to view the eclipse with specially designed solar filters, such as "eclipse glasses." "Eclipse glasses" that are over 3 years old, or have scratches or holes in them should not be used. Homemade filters and ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun. Visit the eclipse safety page to find answers to common eclipse safety questions.

 
2017 Solar Eclipse (NASA)
Image of the total solar eclipse taken by NASA in 2017.

NASA

What Is a Solar Eclipse?

A total solar eclipse is a lineup of the sun, the moon, and Earth. The moon will be directly between the sun and Earth, casting a shadow on Earth. Totality (total eclipse) occurs when the moon covers the entirety of the sun except for the corona, or sun’s atmosphere. The longest total eclipse time occurs at the center line, where you experience the moon’s shadow’s full width. Outside the cone or umbra, viewers will experience a partial eclipse.

What If I Miss It?

The next opportunities to experience a total solar eclipse over the United States will be in 2044 (in North Dakota and Montana) and 2045 (as it crosses from California to Florida).

Learn More

For more in-depth information about upcoming eclipses and other celestial events, visit the NASA Eclipses page.

For local events and information, visit the Destination Cleveland website.

 
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    Event Calendar

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    Last updated: March 8, 2024

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    Contact Info

    Mailing Address:

    8095 Mentor Avenue
    Mentor, OH 44060

    Phone:

    440-255-8722
    If your call is not answered, please leave a voicemail and we will return your call as soon as possible. You can also e-mail us at jaga_interpretation@nps.gov.

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