What time will the 2024 total solar eclipse occur in Chicago and Illinois?
The peak time for the April 8 eclipse — as well as what exactly you’ll see — varies by location.
Some areas of Illinois, including Carbondale and surrounding towns, are in the so-called path of totality, meaning they will briefly see the sun completely covered by the moon, but for Chicago and its surrounding suburbs, totality estimated at 94% is expected. This number is still higher than the 2017 eclipse and even all partial eclipses expected in the near future.
The rare astronomical phenomenon is occurring across a large swath of the United States, marking what NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Kevin Jeanes said could be “the largest solar eclipse of our lifetime in the United States.”
According to NASA scientists, a total solar eclipse occurs when the new moon crosses the path of the sun in the sky, partially blocking then almost completely the view of the sun.
In Carbondale, the largest Illinois city included in the route, totality will begin around 1:59 p.m.
Assuming clear skies, stargazers will be able to view the eclipse unaided, with dark skies and the famous flaming “crown” at the edges of the moon.
This period will only last a few minutes. Totality is expected to end around 2:03 p.m. as the eclipse follows a diagonal line over Fairfeld and exits at Mount Carmel, according to state officials.
If you’re in the Chicago area and can’t see the eclipse in its entirety, there is a glimmer of hope. The partial eclipse will be visible for a little while longer.
For areas outside the path of totality, it will not be safe to view the eclipse without glasses or other tools.
However, weather and cloud cover can impact what exactly you see and when. Forecasts continue to change as the event approaches.
According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, conditions appear to have improved in parts of Illinois and Indiana, despite an earlier risk of severe storms, but cloudy conditions persist in parts of northern Indiana. Illinois and the Chicago area. Still, the NWS urges people to check and “expect forecasts to change.”
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Here’s a city-by-city breakdown of what to expect and when, based on time and date.
Dawn
Start of partial eclipse: 12:50:22
Maximum eclipse: 14:06:37
End of partial eclipse: 15:21:07
Chicago
Start of partial eclipse: 12:51:28
Maximum eclipse: 14:07:41
End of partial eclipse: 15:22:02
DeKalb
Start of partial eclipse: 12:50:03
Maximum eclipse: 14:06:09
End of partial eclipse: 15:20:36
Evanston
Start of partial eclipse: 12:51:38
Maximum eclipse: 14:07:45
End of partial eclipse: 3:22:00 p.m.
Fox Lake
Start of partial eclipse: 12:51:29
Maximum eclipse: 14:07:20
End of partial eclipse: 15:21:26
Lombard
Start of partial eclipse: 12:50:57
Maximum eclipse: 14:07:09
End of partial eclipse: 15:21:33
Orland Park
Start of partial eclipse: 12:50:48
Maximum eclipse: 14:07:10
End of partial eclipse: 15:21:42
Plainfield
Start of partial eclipse: 12:50:19
Maximum eclipse: 14:06:39
End of partial eclipse: 15:21:14
Schaumburg
Start of partial eclipse: 12:51:05
Maximum eclipse: 14:07:10
End of partial eclipse: 15:21:29
Wheaton
Start of partial eclipse: 12:50:48
Maximum eclipse: 2:07:00 p.m.
End of partial eclipse: 3:21:25 p.m.
(Check your city here)
For those looking to go down the path of totality, here is a list of cities in Illinois that fall into this category, according to the Illinois DNR:
Carbondale
Totality begins: 13:59:15
Maximum eclipse: 14:01:20
End of totality: 14:03:25
Makanda
Totality begins: 13:59:09
Maximum eclipse: 14:01:14
Complete end: 14:03:19
Alto Pass
Totality begins: 13:58:56
Maximum eclipse: 14:01:01
Complete end: 14:03:06
Fairfield
Totality begins: 14:01:19
Maximum eclipse: 14:03:21
End of totality: 14:05:23
Olney
Totality begins: 14:02:12
Maximum eclipse: 14:04:07
Complete end: 14:06:03
Golconda
Totality begins: 14:00:39
Maximum eclipse: 14:02:04
Complete end: 2:03:30 p.m.
Effingham
Totality begins: 14:03:25
Maximum eclipse: 14:03:49
Complete end: 14:04:13
Mount Vernon
Start of totality: 2:00:35 p.m.
Maximum eclipse: 14:02:28
End of totality: 14:04:20
Marion
Totality begins: 14:01:53
Maximum eclipse: 14:03:54
Complete end: 14:05:56
NBC Chicago
