Regardless of where you are in Mississippi, the event will begin at about 12:30 p.m., peak a little after 1:50 p.m. and end at 3:10 p.m. or a few minutes after.
The Clarion Ledger reports that According to eclispe2024.org, it could be anywhere from 83% to 97% eclipsing with the highest percentage being in Northwest Mississippi.
Ancient lore surrounding total solar eclipses often varied among different cultures. Many ancient civilizations viewed solar eclipses as ominous events, often interpreting them as a sign of impending doom, the anger of the gods, or a disruption in the natural order.
Some cultures believed that a celestial beast or deity was devouring the sun during an eclipse, leading to rituals and practices to ward off evil spirits. In ancient China, it was believed that a dragon was eating the sun, and people would make loud noises to scare the dragon away. In ancient Mesopotamia, eclipses were seen as divine messages, and records of eclipses were kept for astrological predictions. Vikings thought eclipses were caused by two great wolves chasing the sun and moon across the sky, while Mayans imagined snakes were eating them. Across various cultures, solar eclipses were significant events that inspired awe, fear, and ritualistic practices.
Zeus, the father of the
Olympic Gods, turned
mid-day into night, hiding the light
of the dazzling Sun;
and sore fear came upon men.”
—Archilochus (c680-c640 BC), Greek poet
Refers to the total solar eclipse of 6 April 648 BC.
The eclipse’s path of totality will begin around 1 p.m. CT. The shadow of the moon will start out moving slow, across Texas, up through Arkansas and then southeastern Missouri, southern Illinois and into Indianapolis. From there, it will travel through Ohio and up to the northeast, with 13 states in total appearing in the eclipse’s path of totality.
According to experts, solar eclipse glasses will likely be needed to safely view the event, especially in areas where only a partial eclipse will be visible.
But what exactly will it look like?
In the path of totality, the entire disc of the Moon covers the entire disc of the sun.
“There is an astronomical difference between a partial and total solar eclipse; literally and figuratively,” experts said. “The skies get much darker in a total eclipse, the temperature can drop as much as 10 degrees, animals begin behaving differently, but most importantly you get to see the outer edge of the radiation coming from the sun without having to protect your eyes, just for a few minutes.”
Here are some helpful tips for watching the eclipse:
DO’S:
1. DO seek expert advice before using a solar filter with a camera, telescope or binoculars.
2. DO use a filter on your camera to take pictures.
3. DO wear certified solar viewing glasses when viewing the eclipse.
DON’TS:
1. DO NOT use eclipse glasses or handheld viewers with cameras, binoculars, or telescopes.
2. DO NOT point a camera at the sun unless the lens is fitted with a certified solar filter.
3. DO NOT look through a camera when it is pointed at the sun.
4. DO NOT use your eclipse glasses before the eclipse, because any scratch or break could expose your eyes to harmful solar rays.
