Guide Viewing The 2024 Solar Eclipse In Minnesota: What To Expect + More
While Minnesota is not in the "path of totality" for the 2024 solar eclipse coming in early April, people across the state will still be able to get a pretty good show.
As long as it isn't cloudy, people across Minnesota could see as much as 81% of the sun covered during this spring's big eclipse, which is definitely enough to darken the sky and make for a good show.
We'll take a look at NASA's predictions for how much of the eclipse people across the state will see, and when the best time to witness the rare occurrence will be across Minnesota.
When is the 2024 eclipse?
The big eclipse everyone is buzzing about this spring will happen on Monday, April 8, 2024. The time and coverage will vary depending on where in the United States you are as the moon passes between the Earth and the Sun.
Skygazers will be able to see the moon pass in front of the sun, blocking it out for about a 2-hour window on the afternoon of April 8. Here's a look at peak times and what people across Minnesota will see.
Viewing the 2024 eclipse across Minnesota
Highlighting some communities around the state, here's a look at what Minnesotans will see and when the best viewing will be. The further north and west you are, the less coverage you will see, but even places in Northwestern Minnesota will get a decent show.
Theif River Falls
Even in Northwestern Minnesota, nearly 60% of the sun will be covered during the eclipse. The peak coverage time will be at 2:01 pm on April 8.
Bemidji
About 75 miles closer to the "path of totality", Bemidji will see almost 4% additional coverage, with 63.8% of the sun being covered up at the peak coverage time of 2:02 pm on April 8.
Hibbing
Up on the Iron Range, nearly 70% of the sun will be covered at the peak time, with 67.3% coverage during maximum coverage time at 2:04 pm on April 8.
Brainerd
About the same distance away from the path of totality as Hibbing, Brainerd will see 68.3% of coverage at the peak time of 2:02 pm on April 8.
Duluth
People in the Twin Ports area will get their peak viewing opportunity at 2:05 pm, with 70.5% coverage in Duluth on April 8.
St. Cloud
Almost the same distance away from the path of the eclipse as Duluth, St. Cloud will get 70.7% of maximum coverage when things reach their peak at 2:01 pm, just a couple of minutes before Duluth gets a similar show.
Marshall
The folks in Southwestern Minnesota will see their peak viewing come around at 1:58 pm as Marshall gets 71% coverage on April 8.
Minneapolis
At the heart of the Twin Cities area, Minneapolis will see 74% coverage on April 8 as Minnesota's largest city reaches peak eclipse at 2:02 pm.
Mankato
South Central Minnesota will get treated with about 75% coverage of the sun when things reach their peak in Mankato at 2:00 on April 8.
Rochester
Getting closer to the path of totality, Rochester will be the biggest town in Minnesota to get the best show in the state. Rochester will see a total of 78.4% of the sun covered at 2:02 pm on April 8.
About 75 miles closer to the "path of totality", Bemidji will see almost 4% additional coverage, with 63.8% of the sun being covered up at the peak coverage time of 2:02 pm on April 8.
Caledonia
The furthest town southeast NASA's map tool gives data for in Minnesota shows Caledonia as the best place to see the most eclipse coverage in the state. Caledonia will see 81.3% of the sun covered during their peak viewing time of 2:02 pm on April 8.
You can see more towns around Minnesota and elsewhere around the country using NASA's Eclipse Explorer Map tool. It shows the timing and path of the 2024 eclipse as well as other recent eclipses.
Odd Shadows Appear During Solar Eclipse
Gallery Credit: Credit N8