April 8, 2024, millions of people from around the world will be in Ohio to witness a once-in-a-lifetime event: a total solar eclipse.
According to Tom O’Grady, the director of outreach and development at the Southeast Ohio History Center and instructor of observational astronomy at Ohio University, a solar eclipse occurs when a new moon is positioned between the sun and Earth, resulting in the obscurity of the sun. This phenomenon happens somewhere in the world approximately every 18 months. However, total solar eclipses are rare because, in areas on the path of totality, they fully block the sun for several minutes.
This type of eclipse has not been seen in Ohio since June 16, 1806, and will not again until 2099.
The story of the 1806 eclipse lends way to the title of the program held by the Southeast Ohio History Center and Tom O’Grady on Thursday: “Not Since Tecumseh: Darkness at Midday in the Ohio Country – Total Eclipse of the Sun – April 8, 2024.”
Tecumseh and his brother, Tenskwatawa, known as prophets in the community, were leaders of the Shawnee Tribe. Despite the Treaty of Greenville, which gave most of Ohio’s land to the European settlement, William Henry Harrison, the territorial governor of present-day Indiana and parts of Ohio, wanted more. Harrison, in an attempt to discredit Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa, told members of the tribe that the brothers had no powers, and if they did, they would be able to “make the sun stand still in the sky,” according to O’Grady.
Likely through their travels, Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa discovered there would soon be a total solar eclipse in the area, which they used to their advantage against Harrison’s claims.
Word soon spread that the brothers had delivered on “making the sun stand still in the sky,” lending legitimacy to their abilities.
Much has changed since June 16, 1806, but the significance surrounding a total solar eclipse in Ohio has not.
Sofia Davis, a junior studying astrophysics and applied math, as well as the vice president and co-founder of OU’s Astronomy Club, plans to go home for a solar eclipse party with her family on April 8. Being from the Cleveland area, she will get one of the best views of the total solar eclipse that day.
“There are very few opportunities to bring people together and all see the same really crazy thing; that very rarely happens,” Davis said. “(It) will be a highlight of the year … of this group of years.”
Similarly, Nick Sanders, a first-year graduate student studying physics and astronomy, will travel to northern Ohio with friends to watch the total solar eclipse. The fact a solar eclipse can even happen is “really special,” according to Sanders.
“It just so happens that the … size of the Moon and the sun in the sky are almost exactly the same,” Sanders said. “There’s no reason that (it) has to be that way.”
Those planning to watch the solar eclipse outside the three-to-four-minute total darkness should take precautions. O’Grady suggests grabbing a pair of eclipse glasses or shade 12 or 14 welder lenses.
“This is something that people will remember (for) the rest of their lives,” said O’Grady. “You don’t want to miss out on it.”
