Oklahoma is in the path of the 2024 solar eclipse. Where is the best place to see it?
Turn around, bright eyes, it's a total eclipse of the sun.
That's right, the next total solar eclipse visible from the United States will occur April 8, 2024, and southeastern Oklahoma is in its direct path. There are six Oklahoma state parks that will see at least 99% totality, and three of them will see the full eclipse.
The next time the contiguous United States will see a total solar eclipse will be Aug. 23, 2044, so make plans now to witness the event.
Here's what you need to know.
What time will the 2024 eclipse be in Oklahoma?
In Oklahoma City, the moon will start to pass over the sun about 12:30 p.m. on April 8, which is a Monday. The eclipse, while only partial in OKC, will peak about 1:40 p.m.
The time will vary depending on the part of the state you're in, you can find your city on this map to see what time the eclipse will happen and what it will look like in your area.
Where can I see the eclipse in Oklahoma?
Southeastern Oklahoma is the best place to see the eclipse in the state, as it falls directly in the path of the moon's shadow.
This includes towns like Boswell, Antlers, Hugo, Poteau, Broken Bow and Idabel.
Oklahoma state parks taking reservations to see eclipse
Several Oklahoma state parks are gearing up to host out of town eclipse-seekers.
"Oklahoma State Parks will have some of the best locations in the country to watch the 2024 eclipse,” said Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Executive Director Shelley Zumwalt. “Get away from city lights and take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the eclipse’s totality in nature.”
Beavers Bend State Park will see 4 minutes and 15 seconds in total eclipse duration.
State parks seeing full eclipse totality are Beavers Bend, Talimena and Lake Wister. Noted on the booking website, there is a 5-night minimum length of stay for the April 2024 Eclipse event, with an arrival date of Thursday, April 4, though pickings are already slim.
Other parks near the eclipse path include Robbers Cave, Clayton Lake, Raymond Gary and McGee Creek.
Where to get protective eyewear for the 2024 eclipse
If you want to be able to look at the sun during the eclipse, you'll need protective eyewear called eclipse glasses or solar viewers to keep from harming yourself. For those wanting to capture the eclipse with a camera or or look through a telescope, solar filters are required to prevent severe eye damage.
The American Astronomical Society cautions using online sites like Amazon or Ebay to purchase eclipse glasses without double checking the supplier meets ISO standards. A full list of certified suppliers and resellers is listed on the society's website.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Where to see the complete solar eclipse in 2024 in Oklahoma
