All Ivy Tech Community College campuses and satellite locations, including both Ivy Tech Fort Wayne and Warsaw’s campuses, will operate virtually on Monday, April 8 as the total solar eclipse passes through much of Indiana. Students should have a plan to access their remote classes that day. All campus facilities and parking lots will be closed to the public. They will reopen on Tuesday, April 9.

What is the significance behind the Total Solar Eclipse?

When the moon passes between the sun and the earth, a solar eclipse puts everything in the area in momentary darkness. Sometimes this only blocks part of the sun’s light (also known as a partial solar eclipse), but the upcoming phenomena will block all of the sun’s light for a few moments.

During this time of total darkness, temperatures may drop 10 degrees Fahrenheit, and the sun and the moon may appear to be about the same size.

The next total solar eclipse won’t happen in the contiguous U.S. until the year 2044. The next time it will hit Indiana is 2099.

How can you view the Total Solar Eclipse?

First off, you’ll need special glasses to view the eclipse. This is because staring at the sun, even for a few minutes, during an eclipse can lead to permanent and irreversible eye damage. Normal sunglasses are not strong enough to protect your eyes. Only during total coverage can you remove your eyewear. You can order proper glasses from a reputable vendor.

The path of totality is expected to run through southern and central Indiana. Fort Wayne and Warsaw are just outside the eclipse’s path. If you want to view the eclipse in the path of totality, you can take a look at this helpful map to plan your route.

As people travel from out of state to view the phenomena, more traffic than normal is expected on Monday, Apr. 8. This can lead to traffic jams and delays. Be sure to plan your route ahead of time and leave early. The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) will be keeping a close eye on traffic, and you can take a look at real time conditions on Trafficwise.

What time will the eclipse happen?

The time of totality in Indiana will be over by 3:15 p.m. However, the partial eclipse won’t be completely over in the state until 4:30 p.m. INDOT suggests that people take some time before leaving their viewing location. It predicts that thousands of people will take off at this time, so plan ahead and be safe.

Want to know more about this event?

All of this information and more can be found on the Indiana Total Solar Eclipse 2024 website.

If you’re planning to travel to experience this historic event, be safe, plan ahead, and, most of all, have fun!