For the second time in seven years, parts of western Kentucky will experience total darkness when the moon blocks out the sun during a total solar eclipse today.
From beginning to end, the eclipse takes several hours with totality at the event’s climax. NASA says the final moments before totality include displays of light known as Baily’s Beads and the Diamond Ring caused by the pock-marked surface of the Moon.
In western Kentucky, the path of totality will be along the Ohio River from Bardwell and ending in Henderson.
The first signs of the crescent of a partial eclipse in Kentucky will happen in Bardwell at 12:42 p.m. with totality at 1:59 p.m. and the final partial eclipse ending at 3:17 p.m.
During the total solar eclipse, Bardwell will experience 2 minutes and 7 seconds of totality. During the 2017 eclipse when Hopkinsville was in the path of the eclipse, the totality was two minutes and 41 seconds.
Paducah will experience 1 minute and 35 seconds of totality.
In Cadiz, the eclipse will begin at 12:43 and reach 98.7% totality at 2:02. It will be over at 3:19.
In Hopkinsville, the eclipse will begin at 12:44 and reach 98.3% totality at 2:05. It will be over at 3:19.
In Princeton, the eclipse will begin at 12:44 and reach 99.5% totality at 2:02. It will be over at 3:19.
In Elkton, the eclipse will begin at 12:44 and reach 97.8% totality at 2:03. It will be over at 3:20.
National Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Pressley said clearing after Sunday night’s storms should make for mostly favorable viewing conditions in west Kentucky.
click to download audioMeanwhile, Governor Andy Beshear also weighed in with tips for those who will be looking to the sky.
click to download audioIf you’re not a fan of all of the hubbub surrounding today’s eclipse, the next total solar eclipse won’t happen in parts of the U.S. until 2044. According to Timeanddate.com, it will cover a part of Canada and a small portion of the northern Plains. Another eclipse in August 2045 will cover a much larger portion of the United States.
