Solar celebration: Gearing up for a total eclipse of the heart(land)

When the moon passes between the sun and the Earth during Monday’s solar eclipse, blocking out about 90 percent of the sun, thousands of local residents, students and workers will be outside, staring at the sky.

Across the county, people are expected to line up outside on sidewalks and in yards. Local businesses are expecting workers will time their breaks with the eclipse Monday afternoon. Police are warning people not to look at the sun while driving, and not to pull over on the sides of interstates to catch a glimpse of the eclipse.

The historic event is the talk of restaurants, offices and social media, and eclipse glasses are the hot item, with local businesses selling out or giving away all of their pairs quickly.

This is the first time in decades that the U.S. is in the path of the total eclipse. And though Johnson County isn’t, it’s close and local viewers will be able to see about 90 percent of the sun’s view blocked.

Schools are using the eclipse as a rare educational opportunity. Safety has been a top concern, so many students will be watching the eclipse on NASA’s live feed. But some will be going outside, such as at Pleasant Crossing Elementary School where the PTO bought enough glasses for all students.

Franklin schools is delaying the start of classes on Monday so students won’t be loading buses during the peak of the eclipse. Students will have the chance to go outside, if they have their own eclipse glasses and if their parents signed a permission slip.

And although police have given motorists a list of dos and don’ts — don’t look at the sun while driving, but do turn on your headlights, for example — the impact of the eclipse on traffic is yet to be seen.

Police and the state department of transportation have also been warning motorists to expect heavy traffic — especially on the interstates — before and after the eclipse as people travel to locations that are in the path of the total eclipse.

And while that isn’t us this time, don’t fret: the Indianapolis area is in the path for a total solar eclipse in 2024.

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Share your eclipse-viewing experience with us.

Send us photos of you and your co-workers, family and friends viewing the solar eclipse on Monday afternoon, and add to it your observations about shadows, animals and anything else that gets your attention. Send an email to [email protected]

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