Gibson County is Counting Down to the Solar Eclipse

Many people arrived early to set up equipment and avoid traffic.

Programs at the Princeton Public Library in May will provide a preview of Total Solar Eclipse of the sun that will occur above Princeton, Indiana, and the surrounding area on April 8th, 2024.

The sun will be darkened by the moon for approximately four minutes during the Total Eclipse of the Sun. It will be a once in a lifetime event for Gibson County residences with no need to fly or travel to other locations to see this exciting event.

Planning for this event is already ongoing in Princeton and the surrounding areas. Dealing with traffic congestion, finding locations for best viewing of the eclipse and accommodations for visitors are a few of the considerations for the upcoming total eclipse. I will share the traffic problems I experienced as I traveled to Hopkinsville, and back in 2017. I also noticed a problem with directing people from the highway to the viewing areas within the Hopkinsville area.

My programs will be based on the sights and sounds (many photos and several videos) of the August 21st, 2017, total solar eclipse as I experienced it at the Bruce Convention Center just south of Hopkinsville, Kentucky

On October 14th of this year, 2023, a partial eclipse of the sun will give us a preview of the April 8th, 2024, total eclipse of the sun. A partial solar eclipse is by no means as impressive as a total eclipse of the sun. The moon only covers a part of the sun during a partial eclipse.

(Princeton, Indiana) – The countdown begins as Gibson County, Indiana, gears up for the upcoming April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse. With the milestone event only one year away, planning is starting to kick into high gear. Gibson County is in the path of totality – where the moon passes between Earth and the sun, blocking the sun’s light completely, which is a rare phenomenon. The last time a total solar eclipse occurred across the entire United States was in 2017, and before that was in 1918. The last time a total solar eclipse was visible in Indiana was in 1806, and following the 2024 event, the next time a total eclipse will be visible from a large part of the USA is in 2045. Gibson County will experience 3 minutes and 55 seconds of totality during the 2024 eclipse. The eclipse will begin at 12:46 pm with totality beginning at 2:04 pm and the entire event ending at 3:20 pm.

Understandably, this rare event will bring many travelers to southwestern Indiana. The Gibson County Eclipse task force, which includes representatives from city and county governments, school corporations, emergency management and law enforcement officials, as well as county tourism, chamber, economic development and other civic organizations have been meeting over the last several months to make sure this is a special and safe experience for residents and visitors alike. An eclipse logo for the county has been created and eclipse glasses and merchandise will be available. There are a number of community events being planned with further details to be announced in the coming months. A Facebook page has been created and information on activities can be found at www.gibsoncountyin.org.