On June 10, 2021 at dawn, something amazing is going to happen along the West Virginia horizon: a partially eclipsed sunrise. It’s an opportunity you don’t want to miss, as the unique timing makes it one you’ll not have again soon.
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon casts a shadow across the earth that partially or fully blocks the sunlight.
No matter where you are in West Virginia, your first opportunity to see the eclipse will come as the sun rises - the eclipse will have already begun, and so the sun coming up that morning will already be partially covered by the moon's shadow. The farther east you travel, the earlier the sun will rise. And if you head east AND north, you'll get to see more of the sun being eclipsed. Here's what that means for a few specific locations around the state.
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In Morgantown, for example, sunrise will occur at 5:51 a.m. The partial eclipse will peak at 5:55 a.m. and end at 6:31 a.m. The sun will be 48% covered by the moon's shadow.
In Charleston, the eclipse will begin at 6:02 a.m., peak at 6:05 a.m., and conclude at 6:30 a.m. The magnitude of the peak will be slightly smaller than the view in Morgantown.
But in Harpers Ferry, the eclipse's magnitude will be significantly bigger than any of these other locations. It will begin at 5:43 a.m., peak at 5:47 a.m., and end at 6:30 a.m. It should look more like this, with 57% of the sun covered at peak.
Basically, although this partial solar eclipse will be visible state-wide, it looks like the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia will get the best view of the eclipse.
Here’s hoping for clear skies on the morning of June 10, 2021! To check your location on a path map of the 2021 partial eclipse, head over to Time and Date’s website here. If you want to catch the sunrise that morning, please use extreme caution when viewing the eclipse. When the sun is along the horizon, it is less bright than usual, but it can still damage your eyes if looked at directly or for too long a time. Need some ideas about where to go to see the sunrise? Here’s an excellent option.
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