A solar eclipse is a celestial event where the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth, momentarily blocking the Sun’s light and casting a shadow on our planet.
The Most Recent Solar Eclipse in Chicago
The last major solar eclipse visible in the Chicago area occurred on Monday, August 21, 2017, known across the country as the “Great American Eclipse.” This event was seen in the city as a deep partial eclipse, even though the narrow band of totality passed through southern Illinois. For Chicagoans, the eclipse began at 11:54 a.m. CDT as the Moon first appeared to take a small “bite” out of the Sun’s disk.
The maximum coverage of the Sun for Chicago was reached at 1:19 p.m. CDT, when the Moon obscured approximately 87% of the solar surface. The partial eclipse concluded when the Moon fully moved past the Sun at 2:42 p.m. CDT, completing a three-hour astronomical show.
Why Chicago Experiences Partial Eclipses
Whether a location sees a total or partial eclipse depends on its position within the Moon’s shadow cones. The darkest, innermost part of the shadow is called the umbra, and the narrow track it traces across the Earth is known as the path of totality.
Chicago’s position north of this track means it falls only within the Moon’s outer, fainter shadow, which is called the penumbra. Viewing an eclipse from the penumbra results in a partial eclipse, where only a portion of the Sun is covered. This geographic reality explains why the 2017 event, despite its path crossing the same state, only provided an 87% partial view for the city.
Anticipating the Next Notable Event
The next significant solar eclipse event for Chicago is set for Monday, April 8, 2024, which will again be a partial solar eclipse for the city. This upcoming eclipse will be even more dramatic than the 2017 event, with an expected maximum obscuration of about 94% of the Sun’s surface. The eclipse will begin in the Chicago area at approximately 12:51 p.m., with the deep maximum coverage occurring at 2:07 p.m.
This higher percentage of coverage is due to the path of totality for the 2024 eclipse passing closer to the Chicago metropolitan area than it did in 2017. Regardless of the high magnitude, observers must use certified safe solar viewing glasses or indirect viewing methods throughout the entire event. The Moon will finally slide away from the Sun at 3:22 p.m., concluding this highly anticipated celestial event.