Total Eclipse of the Sun

By Amy Cardin

On Apr 8, 2024, a large swath of North America will experience an exciting celestial phenomenon, a total solar eclipse! The eclipse path will begin in Mexico and pass through parts of a dozen states before ending in the Canadian province Newfoundland and Labrador.

The entire country is abuzz with excitement as watching parties have been planned in many states, and even special plane trips set to follow the path that day. Here in Michigan, the only city that will experience totality will be tiny Luna Pier, in a sliver of southeastern Monroe County. At 3:13pm, the total eclipse will be visible there for only 34 seconds. The Bloomfield area will experience a deep partial eclipse beginning around 1:58pm with a peak magnitude of 98.1% occurring around 3:08pm. 

Special protective glasses must be worn to safely view the eclipse. Beginning March 25, the Bloomfield Township Library will have these glasses available to their cardholders (4 pairs per cardholder, max.) on a first-come, first-served basis. These glasses will be available at the Youth Services Desk or the Adult/Teen Desk.

So get out there, safely, and enjoy this amazing phenomenon, because according to NASA, the next total solar eclipse that will be visible from the contiguous U.S. won’t be until August 23, 2044!