What is an Eclipse? A total solar eclipse occurs when the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun form a straight line, resulting in the Moon completely blocking the Sun and casting a shadow on the Earth. The next total solar eclipse with a path of totality to cross Indiana will be on April 8th, 2024.
SAFELY OBSERVING A TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE AND EVENT CONSIDERATIONS
Looking directly at the partial solar eclipse without adequate eye protection, even for just a few seconds, can lead to permanent eye damage or even blindness. To directly observe a solar eclipse during its partial phases, you must use proper eye protection such as solar viewing glasses (“eclipse glasses”) or a handheld solar viewer that complies with the ISO 12312-2 international standard.
DO’s & DON’T’S:
- Regular sunglasses are not safe for viewing the partial phases of a total solar eclipse.
- Viewing the Sun through binoculars or a telescope without the correct solar filters will immediately cause severe eye injury, as the lenses in these devices concentrate the sunlight and direct it toward your eyes.
- Do use eclipse glasses to view the sun or projector.
Although safety is the priority, fear is not—and there can be a fine line between communicating best practices for safely viewing the eclipse and convincing locals and potential visitors to skip it entirely.
- You can safely view the total solar eclipse if you are: in the path of totality and the Sun is fully blocked by the Moon (i.e., during totality).
- Prepare for crowds, traffic, and congestion in Brown County. Don’t schedule Dr. Appointments on April 8th of 2024.
- Do avoid commuting during the eclipse.
- Don’t be alarmed if they park on your property to view this historical event. Be patient!
- Do consider staying with a caregiver. Our county’s resources will be stretched during April 4th-9th, especially during the day of the eclipse on Monday, April 8th, 2024.
- Do stock up on resources like water, food, and secondary power in case of a blackout and limited resources.
- Do Pay close attention to dialysis timing and scheduling; April 8th and 9th may not be ideal.
- Do Consider rescheduling any existing medical appointments until after the 9th.
- Do inventory your medications well in advance to ensure you don’t need to visit the pharmacy between the 6th through 9th or rely on mail-delivered medication during this time.
- Starting four hours before and four hours after the natural daylight will be affected. Do have multiple flashlights with fresh batteries handy.
- Do expect your pet’s behavior to change as they become confused by the unusual change in daylight.
- Do secure alternate sources of power for your electrically powered medical devices. Also, consider the appointment schedule for deliveries of medical supplies like oxygen.
- Visitors will certainly become lost as they try to circumvent traffic congestion by using our back roads. Do be prepared to give directions and be patient with those using your driveways to turn around.
- Do consider getting together with friends or family to experience the event safely together.
- Do understand medical response will be greatly impacted by traffic congestion. Save difficult, strenuous, or risky activities until after the 8th.
What contact information should I have?
- 911-Emergency
- 812-988-0341(Nashville Police Department)
- 812-988-6655 ext.0 (Brown County Sheriff’s Department non-emergency)
- Brown County Sheriff’s Department 911 Dispatch Center Dispatches all our runs and Officers. So, if they need assistance and they are unable to get through on the 812-988-0341(Nashville Police Department Office number phone is not monitored all the time) our dispatch is the same as Brown County Deputies 812-988-6655 ext. 0 (non-emergency)
