A rare celestial event is set to captivate skygazers in the WLKY region as a total solar eclipse will sweep across much of southern Indiana and the Louisville area on April 8. The upcoming eclipse has piqued the curiosity of many, who are eager to witness this extraordinary phenomenon.

Total solar eclipses occur on average every 18 months when the moon's dark silhouette fully obscures the dazzling light of the sun, revealing the fainter solar corona. However, the path of totality - where totality occurs during an eclipse - is only visible within a narrow track on Earth's surface.

In the Louisville area, there have been just five total solar eclipses since the early 1800s where the path of totality crossed or came close to crossing. The most recent eclipse occurred seven years ago on August 21, 2017. Although it entered the United States in Oregon, it passed through the Midwest, entering Kentucky at Paducah and moving across the southern portion of the state as well as northern Tennessee.

Another eclipse, remembered by many, took place on October 25, 1987, passing through central and southern Indiana, southern Ohio, and parts of northern Kentucky. This path of totality originated in Canada, traversing the nation's "Bread Basket" before sweeping through Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and eventually the Atlantic coast through Maryland and Delaware.

Delving further into history, a total eclipse on December 19, 1897, passed through Owensboro, Kentucky, while narrowly missing south of Louisville. However, it did travel over Hardin County and large portions of the southern and southeastern regions of the state before continuing into Tennessee.

The oldest solar eclipse in recent memory occurred on May 25, 1840 when the path of totality encompassed Louisville and parts of northern and eastern counties, extending all the way to southern Indiana and Indianapolis. This eclipse originated from the west coast and traversed the Midwest before passing over the eastern seaboard, spanning Virginia, North Carolina, and beyond.

Interestingly, the path of totality of an eclipse from June 25, 1813, began in southeastern Indiana and just east of Jefferson County in Kentucky. At that time, only Henry County was established, while Oldham, Trimble, and Carroll Counties had not yet been founded. This eclipse traveled northeast, engulfing northeastern Kentucky, most of Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and New England.

The highly anticipated April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse will be the last of its kind in this area in our lifetime. However, residents will have to wait until October 17, 2153, for the next total solar eclipse, which will pass directly through Louisville and the entire central Kentucky region.

As preparations are made to witness this extraordinary celestial event, people are encouraged to plan ahead and find safe and optimal locations to experience the mesmerizing beauty of a total solar eclipse. Those fortunate enough to witness this spectacle will undoubtedly create lasting memories of this once-in-a-lifetime event.