m. This celestial event marks the last solar eclipse visible in the Contiguous United States until 2044, making it an eagerly anticipated spectacle for sky enthusiasts. Shannon Schmoll, the director of the Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University, recently discussed the excitement surrounding this rare event and offered insights into the best places in Michigan to witness it.

Schmoll emphasized the uniqueness of this solar eclipse, as it is not often that the moon appears to cover the sun, requiring spectators to be in the path of totality. This path, which extends about 100 miles wide, offers individuals the opportunity to experience the eclipse for a longer duration, with some areas enjoying 4-5 minutes of complete darkness. The path of totality represents the trajectory of the moon's shadow as it aligns perfectly with the Earth and the sun, casting a darker part called the umbra.

While most of Michigan will not fall within the path of totality, a small sliver of Monroe County will be fortunate enough to witness it firsthand. The rest of the state, however, will still have the chance to witness a partial solar eclipse, where the moon will only partially cover the sun, resulting in a crescent-shaped sliver of sunlight at maximum eclipse.

The extent of the coverage will vary across different parts of Michigan. Detroit residents can expect approximately 99% coverage, close to totality, while East Lansing will observe around 97% coverage. For those in the Upper Peninsula, the coverage will be approximately 84%, still providing a captivating view of the phenomena.

Schmoll emphasized the importance of protecting one's eyes during the eclipse, highlighting that even at 99% coverage, there is still enough sunlight that can harm vision. Eclipse glasses with the appropriate ISO requirements are essential for safe viewing. Schmoll advised individuals to check their glasses for scratches or holes and ensure that they provide adequate protection.

In addition to eclipse glasses, there are alternative ways to safely view the eclipse using indirect viewers. Online resources provide instructions on how to create a cereal box eclipse viewer or leverage everyday objects like a Ritz cracker, a colander, or a card with a hole punched into it. These makeshift viewers project an image of the sun onto the ground, allowing viewers to observe the eclipse indirectly.

Schmoll emphasized that this solar eclipse presents a unique opportunity to witness the interactions of celestial bodies within our solar system. She noted that while a fancy telescope is not necessary for observation, the event offers a fantastic chance to step outside and experience this awe-inspiring phenomenon right in one's own backyard.

Michigan residents are eagerly preparing for this rare solar eclipse, poised to make the most of this extraordinary viewing opportunity on April 8th.