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7 fun facts about the 2024 total solar eclipse in Ohio

Columbus and most of central Ohio experienced nearly four minutes of darkness during the 2024 total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024.

CBUStoday total solar eclipse

Small towns in Ohio were flooded with tourists attempting to see the 2024 total solar eclipse. | Photo by @wbns10tv

The Buckeye State experienced a total solar eclipse, and if you’re like us, you can’t get enough moon news. Since it won’t be back for another 70+ years, let’s bask in its glory one last time.

7.) Hyper history

If you witnessed yesterday’s total eclipse, congrats. You witnessed something that hasn’t happened in Ohio since 1806.

6.) Faraway futures

Did you miss the eclipse? That’s why we collected the top photos for this story. And hopefully you can catch the next one in Ohio in 2099. It’s never too early to start planning, right?

CBUStoday solar eclipse glasses

Did you join COSI for the eclipse watch party on Monday, April 8, 2024? | Photo via @cosiscience

5.) Special spectacles

The Columbus Metropolitan Library reportedly handed out 110,000+ eclipse glasses across all of its locations. These glasses cannot be tossed in with normal recyclables, but they can be dropped off in blue bins at libraries.

4.) Sun stats

The eclipse was visible to folks in Ohio within a 124-mile band, stretching diagonally from Cincinnati to Cleveland. The eclipse lasted for roughly three to four minutes, with those closer the center of the path seeing a longer eclipse. It also reportedly caused temperatures to drop by nearly 10°, per NASA.

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See how the 2017 map compares to the 2024 map. | Maps via NASA

3.) Partial past

A total solar eclipse happened in the US in 2017, but didn’t totally cover Ohio. Additionally, this year’s eclipse was more visible to a larger population thanks to its wide path.

2.) Solar searchers

If you want to chase eclipses, Earth reportedly experiences one every one-and-a-half years. Be prepared to leave the country, as the next one won’t hit the US until 2044-45.

1.) Traveler totals

It’s estimated that upwards of 575,000 people traveled to Ohio to see the eclipse. That’s more than five times the capacity of Ohio Stadium, for reference.

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