Tips for a once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse experience in the PA Wilds
- by Britt Madera
- April 2, 2024
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On April 8, 2024, a small part of the northwestern section of the PA Wilds region will experience the path of totality for a solar eclipse! This includes places like Warren and the Allegheny Reservoir, along with parts of Warren County and McKean County. Even though just a small part of Pennsylvania will be in the official path of totality, there is still a good chance to see a partial eclipse from the rest of the PA Wilds region.
To see an interactive map of the path of totality for the 2024 solar eclipse, click here.
Image: Kimon Berlin, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
What is a solar eclipse?
A total solar eclipse is when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the sun. Much like in the eclipse in August of 2017, people have already booked their campsites and hotels and are headed for destinations across the US to experience this super solar excitement.
What is a solar eclipse? Watch the video from NASA below.
What is the path of totality?
The path of totality is the area in which people will be able to view a total solar eclipse. Due to the moon’s orbit, there is a curved path across the globe where people will be able to see the best view of the solar eclipse. From these locations, the moon’s shadow will completely cover the sun.
Image Attribution: Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak, NASA’s GSFC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
How is the path of totality different in 2024 than in 2017?
Both the 2017 and the 2024 paths of totality made their way across a large section of the United States. The 2017 path of totality did not come near the PA Wilds, so people in Pennsylvania had to travel a longer distance to get the best view of the solar eclipse in 2017.
Due to the moon being slightly closer to the Earth than it was during the solar eclipse in 2017, the 2024 solar eclipse will cause a wider path of totality. The path over North American will range between 108 and 122 miles wide, meaning that more people will be in the path of totality.
The 2024 path of totality also passes over more densely populated cities than in 2017, which means that more people live directly in the path and may not need to travel to view the total solar eclipse. Even if they do have to travel, they won’t have to travel as far as in 2017… over half the US population lives within 250 miles of the path of totality for the April 2024 eclipse!
The duration of the total solar eclipse is also longer than in 2017, expected to last about 3 and a half minutes of total eclipse time near the PA Wilds region.
Will I still be able to see the eclipse if I’m not in the path of totality?
Even if you are not in the direct path of totality, you can still expect to see a fairly good view of the solar eclipse. Although it won’t officially be a total solar eclipse, it will be close. Especially because most of the PA Wilds region is less than a few hundred miles from the path of totality, PA Wilds residents will likely see a partial eclipse that is very similar to a total eclipse.
However, do not that you will not be able to see a real total solar eclipse unless you are in the path of totality and inside the inner shadow of the moon, called the umbra. For many solar eclipse enthusiasts, nothing beats a real total solar eclipse!
Image: Although the Allegheny National Forest is not within the path of totality, watch parties and special solar eclipse educational programs will be held there
When is the next total solar eclipse?
There are annular solar eclipses every year, but they aren’t always a total solar eclipse and they don’t always pass over North America. Some upcoming total eclipses include Spain in 2026, north Africa in 2027, Australia and New Zealand in 2028, and Africa and Australia in 2030. After the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, the next total solar eclipse that can be seen from the contiguous United States will be on August 23, 2044. However, that eclipse will not pass over Pennsylvania. Instead, it will pass over Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. For many people on the east coast of the United States, the 2024 solar eclipse is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see an eclipse close to home!
Tips for a good solar eclipse experience
Protect your eyes
Specific eye protection is vital for avoiding eye damage during the solar eclipse. Although you may be tempted to peek at the sun directly, you should never stare at the sun without protective eye care. You could risk permanent, irreversible eye damage. You cannot simply use regular or polarized sunglasses to view the eclipse, as they do not have the same protection. Purchase certified solar eclipse glasses beforehand. Some schools, libraries, and community centers are giving out a limited number of solar eclipse glasses for free. If you are unable to find solar eclipse glasses, you can also view the solar eclipse via other methods, such as a DIY pinhole projector using two pieces of cardboard.
Plan for crowds
By some estimates, up to 250,000 people are expected to travel to Pennsylvania to see the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Many of those travelers will be going to places like Erie, Presque Isle State Park, and Pymatuning State Park outside of the PA Wilds. However, the day of the total solar eclipse (and the days before and after it) will still see some big crowds in the PA Wilds region too. Expect additional traffic, longer waits at gas stations and restaurants, and a general surge of people.
Image: A crowd during the Art in the Wilds festival in Kane
Give yourself time to travel
During the 2017 solar eclipse, the United States saw one of the worst traffic jams in its history! Although traffic isn’t expected to be quite as bad in 2024 and certainly not as bad in the PA Wilds region, you’ll still likely encounter some increased traffic.
Give yourself extra time to get to where you will view the eclipse, and allow for more time to head back home as well. In some cases, you might want to budget for twice the amount of time that it would usually take you.
Expect closures or limited capacity
Depending on how many people travel to certain parks or viewing areas, expect that there could be limited space or even closures if too many people arrive in one location. Remember, parking lots may also be full. Follow capacity limits, and follow the rules if you have to go to another spot instead. In some places in the path of totality, you may also see stores and businesses temporarily close down during the eclipse, either for just a few hours or for the whole day to allow their employees to see the celestial event. Be mindful that employees might also want to experience the solar eclipse, and double check if places will be open or not.
Minimize your impact
Anytime that you travel and explore, observe the Leave No Trace guidelines so that you can protect yourself and the outdoors. Check out this Leave No Trace blog about how to follow the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace during the solar eclipse.
Large events like the solar eclipse can mean many people traveling in one area and potentially damaging the landscape. By following the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace, you can help minimize your impact. That means a better experience for you and for others!
Support local while traveling
Many folks will travel to large cities or state parks to view the solar eclipse. However, going to a less crowded and smaller town to watch the solar eclipse could also help minimize the impact on specific cities, while also spreading the economic benefits to smaller towns in the region.
While you’re there, be sure to support the local economy. Grab a bite to eat, fuel up the car, purchase a souvenir, stay at a hotel or bed and breakfast, and appreciate small-town life.
Be patient and neighborly
When packing for your trip to view the total solar eclipse, be sure to pack a little extra patience! Remember when you are complaining that you are in a large crowd, that you yourself are also part of that crowd. Practice grace, empathy, and understanding.
Be neighborly towards your fellow travelers and the towns where you travel. Say hello, share extra solar eclipse glasses, be mindful of how much space you are taking or noise you are making, be patient in long lines, and allow for additional time when waiting at restaurants or shops.
For those who live in a town that might see extra traffic during the solar eclipse or other events, be kind to visitors. Welcome them, encourage them to travel safely, and let them know what spots are must-see locations to visit while they’re in town.
Everyone wants to be able to enjoy the solar eclipse and have a great once-in-a-lifetime experience! Being patient and kind is a good tip for any time and any place you might be traveling.
