PREPARE FOR THE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE EVENT
Irene Baron irenebaron.com February 2024
As a NASA-Partner Eclipse Ambassador and NSTA/Space Science Institute Eclipse Ambassador, I will be making Ohio presentations about the April total solar eclipse. The first will be at Ohio University Zanesville in Elson Hall on 7 March beginning at 6:00 PM.
At all my speaking events, hosts plan to pass out solar lenses to attendees.
If you plan to be in the path of totality during any total solar eclipse, please know that you will encounter large crowds. The 8 April 2024 eclipse in Ohio will be the biggest tourism event in the state's history. Eclipse enthusiasts will be arriving from all over the world and other states as this will be one of the longest totality occurrences with the Sun obscured by the sun for over 3-minutes. This is BIG NEWS IN THE ASTRONOMY WORLD.
Since the next total solar eclipse to occur in Ohio will not be until 2099, many will want to experience this one. Parents want their children to experience this phenomenal FREE event. Like visiting a Zanesville Astronomy Club event, looking up at the sky is free. A total solar eclipse occurs at midday. People think it's like a Sunday drive to visit a local site. Think again! A 45-minute drive there may be 4+ hours to get back home due to congested traffic. Read the information below to help you prepare for your event!
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SAFETY NOTES WHEN ECLIPSE VIEWING
by Irene Baron www.irenebaron.com
When planning to view the eclipse, there are safety concerns to know.
The Ohio Emergency Management team has been planning for the eclipse since 2021. Their key points include the 'three Cs" of planning: Collaboration, Coordination, and Communication.
These refer to safety when you are traveling to be in the eclipse's path of totality. Parts of the eclipse path will occur in rural areas, with sometimes minimal infrastructure and support. Other areas may have traffic concerns. Ohio is expecting travelers from the state and other states to visit the areas of totality. Challenges for eclipse viewers may expect include:
- Heavy to gridlocked traffic conditions before and after the eclipse.
- Travelers stopped on roadways (heat, water, food, bathroom challenges)
- Limited cell phone service due to heightened network use; and
- Potentially limited food and gasoline availability on the routes due to an influx of travelers.
Other simple safety tips include:
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Have an emergency plan for your family.
- Have a plan when attending any large gathering, to ensure you know where to meet up if you get separated from friends or family.
- Know where to receive notifications while traveling.
- Have a vehicle and pack needed items for family and friends traveling in your car. You may be delayed getting home due to traffic.; consider extra medication, snacks, and when making your kit.
- Plan your trip and include backup routes in your plan.
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Monitor the weather; download the FEMA App(available in English and Spanish) to receive weather alerts for areas you'll be visiting.
- Bring plenty of sunscreen, mosquito repellant, and a snow shovel; Keep in mind this will be early April in Ohio and the weather may change quickly.
- Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles. Plan for your children and pets during your trip.
- Remember, the only way to safely view a solar eclipse is to do so using specially constructed "eclipse glasses", from a reputable vendor.
Visit www.ready.gov for more safety tips, and for help creating a family communication plan.
Safe viewing!
Irene Baron
NASA Partner Eclipse Ambassador
NSTA/SSI Eclipse Ambassador