The procrastinator's guide to watching the 2024 solar eclipse from Knoxville
In case you haven’t heard, or just haven’t had time to prepare, a solar eclipse is happening Monday, April 8, and it will be partly visible in Knoxville.
Knoxville is not in the path of totality this go-round, but a partial eclipse with maximum coverage of about 89% will be seen in our area around 3:07 p.m. according to eclipse2024.org. The entire astronomical event is expected to start at 1:49 p.m. and end at 4:23 p.m.
If you've been unable to plan a trip to a city in the path of totality, choose a local watch party to attend, or get the special glasses yet, here’s what you need to know before looking into the sky.
What’s the Knoxville forecast for the solar eclipse 2024 weather?
The sky must be mostly clear of clouds and rain to observe a solar eclipse. However, the weather forecast in Knoxville might not be ideal.
“It really could kind of be hit or miss around here,” National Weather Service meteorologist Derek Eisentrout told Knox News April 3.
There’s a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 p.m. Monday, according to the forecast as of April 5.
“If you're interested in seeing it, just keep tracking your forecast and if you have to drive some place that will have less clouds, be prepared to do that,” Eisentrout advised.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/dCMgv0MKxT4?si=okvhayJad4rrcLEh.
Where to find eclipse glasses in Knoxville
Your eyes must be protected by specialized glasses whenever you’re observing a solar eclipse so the sun's powerful rays won't burn your eyes and damage the retinas. Regular sunglasses will not provide that protection.
Proper eyewear for eclipse viewing should comply with the requirements of the ISO 12312-2 international standard, the American Astronomical Society (AAS) stresses.
Pilot Travel Centers, Tractor Supply locations and Muse museum have been selling eclipse glasses. The University of Tennessee at Knoxville gave out glasses for faculty, students and staff at various locations on campus.
Science museums and planetariums, optical shops, hardware stores and specialty science stores are places eclipse glasses potentially could be found. Options might be limited in Knoxville since our area is not in the path of totality. The American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge has already sold out.
You also might have luck at these retailers, according to the American Astronomical Society:
Buc-ee's
Cracker Barrel
Kroger
Lowe's
Staples
Walmart
Warby Parker
Sonic Drive-In (with a purchase of the new Blackout Slush Float)
Where's the best place to view the partial eclipse in Knoxville?
You last-minute planners can walk outside your home around 3 p.m. Monday (with your eclipse glasses on) to see the beginning of the peak eclipse, if the clouds have moved out the way.
Anywhere with a clear view of the horizon and few clouds is great for eclipse viewing, including parks, rooftops or scenic overlooks.
Suttree Landing Park
Sequoyah Hills Park
Concord Park
Newfound Gap parking lot
Various locations around Cades Cove Loop Road, including near the John Oliver Cabin and at the Cades Cove Overlook
Outside the Oconaluftee Visitor Center
Eclipse watch events in Knoxville
Although Knoxville is not in the path of totality, there are a few free eclipse viewing events planned for April 8 in the Knoxville area.
Muse Knoxville is hosting a family-friendly event 1-4 p.m. at 516 N. Beaman St.
Farragut Parks and Recreation will host a partial solar eclipse event 2-3:30 p.m. at the McFee Great Lawn.
UT Knoxville's physics and astronomy department will have solar telescopes set up 1:30-4 p.m. at 1408 Circle Drive if the weather is good.
Sun Life Marinas Concord at 10931 Concord Park Drive will be open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. April 8. The marina will offer 25% off boat rentals.
How to safely watch the eclipse without eclipse glasses
Finding the proper eclipse glasses might be a challenge as the event approaches. But here are a few ways to still experience the phenomenon without damaging your eyes.
Tree leaves project: Watch the light pass through tree leaves. Sunlight will project mini eclipses onto the ground as the light passes through gaps in the leaves.
Use a colander: A colander will project mini eclipses on the ground or on a canvas as the light passes through the small holes.
Pinhole projector: Cut an inch square in the middle of a piece of cardboard, tape foil over the square and poke a small hole in the foil. Sunlight travels through the pinhole to create a small image of the sun. You can do this DIY project with any shoeboxes or cereal boxes.
Use your hands: Take both hands and overlap your fingers with one hand vertical and the other horizontal. Your fingers should cross over each other and form square gaps. Angle your hands so sunlight hits them and light will pass through the gaps like pinholes, projecting mini eclipses.
Pick up your kids!
Don’t forget to collect your kids from school early! April 8 is a half-day for Knox County Schools students. The district will follow its typical half-day dismissal schedule:
11:15 a.m. for kindergarten through grade 5
Noon for grades 6-12, with the exception of 1 p.m. at Career Magnet Academy and L&N STEM Academy
For pre-K programs, communicate with teachers
Athletics and other after-school activities after 4 p.m. will occur as scheduled.
When is the next eclipse?
If you decide to skip the solar eclipse this year, you’ll be waiting for a long time to see the next one. A total solar eclipse won’t be visible in the United States again until 2044.
And you’ll be waiting a really long time to see a total eclipse in Knoxville. Oct. 17, 2153, is when Knoxville will next fall in the path of totality of a solar eclipse. Washington and Idaho are the only two states that will have to wait longer than Tennessee for their next total solar eclipse, according to geographer Michael Zeiler.
Knox News reporters Areena Arora, Daniel Dassow and Keenan Thomas contributed to this article.
Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. On X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Last-minute tips to see the 2024 solar eclipse from Knoxville
