SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Millions of people across the United States will be looking to the sky Monday as a total solar eclipse — the likes of which we won’t see for another two decades — takes place. While in the Bay Area we are removed from the path of totality, it will still be possible to experience the eclipse from the proper vantage point. There are several Bay Area eclipse viewing events happening today.
Here’s what you need to know about Monday’s historic eclipse.
What time is the solar eclipse today?
The solar eclipse will begin at 10:15 a.m. Pacific Time, according to the California Academy of Sciences. The event will be at its maximum at 11:13 a.m. and end at 12:15 p.m.
How often does a solar eclipse happen?
Total eclipses of the sun happen annually, but infrequently in areas where people can see them. The next total eclipse of the sun over a large part of the United States won’t occur until 2044 or 2045.
How to view a solar eclipse without glasses
You should not under any circumstances, try to view the eclipse without the proper glasses. According to NASA, viewing the sun without proper protection will “instantly cause severe eye injury.
Eclipse viewing safety tips
- Do not look directly at the sun during the eclipse
- Sunglasses do not provide sufficient protection
- Only look at the sun through an approved solar filter
- Even safer is to observe indirectly by projecting the sun’s image with a pinhole or binoculars
Can you see the eclipse in San Francisco?
San Francisco and the entire Bay Area are outside of the eclipse’s path of totality. However, the event will still be detectable. There are also a number of eclipse viewing events in SF and around the Bay Area that will provide a safe viewing experience.
EDITOR’S NOTE: An earlier version of this story misstated the time the eclipse will begin. We regret the error. (April 8, 2024)
