Zoo animals, beer releases and festivals: Fun ways to watch the total eclipse in central Ohio
Whatever you decide, expect traffic. Lots of traffic. The April 8 solar eclipse in central Ohio is one week away, with opportunities to observe this rare event in which the moon's shadow will enter the state at 3:08pm and exit at 3.19pm. In Columbus, the city is just outside the path of totality but can still enjoy the experience. Make sure that social activities are planned for the event, such as an eclipse-themed beer release at Land Grant Brewery or a zoo animal study at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. The closer to the center of the eclipse, the longer the period of darkness, can be seen. However, traffic and crowds are expected to cause significant delays.
Published : a month ago by Ned Oliver in Tech
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A once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse is just one week away and if you haven't already made plans, it's time to start. Why it matters: Opportunities to stand in the shadow of the moon are few and far between on this planet.
• Don't let earthly troubles like traffic and insane crowds stand between you and the path of totality.
The big picture: On April 8, the moon's shadow will enter the state at 3:08pm and exit at 3:19pm, per GreatAmericanEclipse.com.
🕶 Just look up: Here in Columbus, slip on some eclipse glasses.
• The city proper is just outside the path of totality, so if you stay put, you won't get the full dawn-at-daytime effect. But that doesn't mean it won't still be a great show.
• Make the experience a little more social and check out one of the events planned by COSI, which includes an eclipse-themed beer release at Land Grant Brewery.
🗺 Head for the suburbs: A short trip northwest is all it'll take to get the full experience.
• Consult this interactive map from eclipse2024.com to find the shortest distance between you and totality.
• Options include a trip to Dublin, which will experience about 90 seconds of darkness. The town's plucky tourist office is pitching pub crawls and a family visit to the corn statues.
• You can also snag tickets for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, where staff, researchers, and volunteers will be studying how the animals react to the natural phenomenon.
🌙 Make a day of it: The closer to the center of the path of totality, the longer the period of darkness.
• A longer drive up Route 33 to Marysville buys you about three minutes of totality. Among eclipse-themed events in the city is a full-day "End of the World Total Solar Eclipse Jam Fest" at Walking Distance Brewing Co.
• Keep going another 25 miles to Bellefontaine to max out your viewing experience at just under four minutes. The city is hosting a three-day street festival called "Moon Glow over Main Street."
Go deeper: Virtually every town along the path has designated viewing areas and festivities of some kind.
• And whatever trip you decide to make, give yourself plenty of time to deal with traffic. It's expected to be hellish.