A solar eclipse is an astronomical event occurring when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, blocking the Sun’s light and casting a shadow on our planet. For residents and visitors in Florida, the solar eclipse was visible, but not in its most dramatic form. While the state was not in the path of totality, the entire region experienced a significant partial solar eclipse.
What Florida Will See and When
Florida experienced a partial solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024, as the Moon partially obscured the Sun’s disk. When viewed safely, the Sun appeared to have a large, dark crescent or a substantial “bite” taken out of it. A partial eclipse does not cause the daytime darkness of a total eclipse, but it did result in a subtle temporary dimming of the daylight.
The event unfolded over approximately three hours across the state. The initial contact of the Moon’s shadow began around 1:35 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Maximum obscuration—the moment the most amount of the Sun was covered—occurred at approximately 2:55 PM EDT for most central and eastern locations. The partial eclipse concluded around 4:20 PM EDT.
How Visibility Changes Across the State
The degree of solar obscuration varied significantly across Florida due to the state’s long geographical span relative to the path of totality, which passed far to the north and west. Locations closer to the path, such as North Florida, saw the highest percentage of the Sun covered. This northern region experienced the deepest partiality, with cities like Pensacola seeing approximately 80% of the Sun obscured.
Moving eastward across the Panhandle, Tallahassee saw a maximum obscuration of about 75%, and Jacksonville witnessed coverage near 70%. This higher coverage resulted in a more noticeable dimming of the sky and a more pronounced crescent Sun.
In Central Florida, the percentage of the Sun covered decreased, but the partial eclipse remained substantial. Cities like Orlando and Tampa saw around 65% of the Sun blocked at the peak of the event. This level of partiality created a distinct crescent shape visible through approved solar viewers.
The effect diminished further in South Florida, where the angle of the Moon’s shadow provided the least coverage. Miami and the Florida Keys, the furthest points from the path of totality, saw the lowest degree of obscuration, with the Moon blocking approximately 55% of the Sun. This variation illustrates that the viewing experience is highly localized and dependent on proximity to the shadow’s track.
Safe Viewing Methods
Observing a solar eclipse, even a partial one, requires strict adherence to safety protocols to prevent permanent eye damage. Looking directly at the Sun without specialized protection can result in solar retinopathy. This damage occurs because the Sun’s intense visible and invisible light can burn the light-sensitive tissues of the retina.
The only safe way to look directly at the partially eclipsed Sun is through specialized solar viewing glasses or handheld solar viewers that meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard. These devices are thousands of times darker than regular sunglasses and block out nearly all harmful visible, ultraviolet, and infrared light. Always inspect the filter for any scratches, holes, or tears before use and discard them if any damage is found.
Indirect viewing methods offer a safe alternative for those without certified glasses. A simple pinhole projector, made easily with two pieces of stiff paper, allows viewers to project an image of the crescent Sun onto a surface. Specialized solar filters for telescopes, binoculars, or camera lenses must also meet the ISO standard and be securely fitted over the aperture. Never attempt to use standard sunglasses, smoked glass, polarized filters, or unapproved welding glass for viewing the Sun.