TAMPA, Fla. — April 8’s total solar eclipse is fast approaching, and while some people are making special arrangements to watch it, others will be carrying on with their usual Monday routine.
NASA warns not to look directly at the sun without protective eyewear, which also goes for people on the road.
So for drivers, if you plan on traveling on Florida's highways and byways during the solar event, AAA offers a few tips for you to stay safe:
- Make sure to keep your vehicle’s headlights on.
- Put the sun visor down to block your view of the sun. Looking directly at the sun during the eclispe could cause permanent damage to the retina, according to governmental nuclear safety agency ARPANSA.
- Don’t wear eclipse glasses while driving. The glasses blocks almost all visible light, according to the Associated Press.
- Don’t try to photograph or video the eclipse while driving.
- Don’t pull over to the side of the road, highway, or interstate to view the eclipse. Park in a safe area away from traffic to view the eclipse instead.
- Be mindful of pedestrians who may be walking around with their eyes on the sky.
This event will be unlike anything we've seen recently since the eclipse will be twice the size it was in 2017. Its "path of totality" spans 115 miles across the country and will last up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds depending on where you are.
While the Tampa Bay area is not in the path of totality for the 2024 total solar eclipse, there still will be a partial eclipse with darkening skies. A few viewing parties are planned for people who want to catch a glimpse.
In Tampa, the eclipse begins at 1:43 p.m. on Monday, April 8, with mid-eclipse happening around 3 p.m. This is about when 65% of the sun will be covered by the moon.
10 Tampa Bay's Alexa Herrera contributed to this report.
