Two months from today, the upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, presents a celestial spectacle that will traverse North America, with its path of totality crossing from Mexico into Texas, sweeping through the Midwest, and eventually leaving the continent from northern New York and New England. While 13 states will experience the total eclipse, where the moon completely obscures the sun revealing its corona, areas outside this direct path, including Tega Cay, SC, will witness a partial solar eclipse.
For residents of Tega Cay and surrounding regions, the event will be a partial eclipse where the sun will appear as if a significant portion has been obscured, resulting in an 80-83% coverage. This will not match the full totality observed in 2017, where many parts of South Carolina were directly under the eclipse’s path. However, it still promises to be a remarkable sight.
In terms of timing, the partial eclipse in Tega Cay is expected to commence around 12:54 p.m., with the maximum coverage happening at approximately 2:11 p.m. The celestial display will conclude after 3:26 p.m. While Tega Cay and nearby areas won’t witness the total eclipse, the visible partial eclipse will offer a unique and memorable experience of this astronomical event.
Specialized viewing glasses are required for safe eclipse observation; regular sunglasses are insufficient. It is imperative to avoid direct sun gazing at all times. Additionally, NASA provides instructions for constructing alternative viewing devices for those who prefer not to observe the eclipse directly.
A list of vendors for viewing glasses and devices is provided by the American Astronomical Society at https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/viewers-filters
