A total eclipse was visible in parts of the US, Canada and Mexico on April 8, 2024. While this event is similar to the 2017 eclipse, Oregon wasn’t able to see nearly as much of the eclipse as last time. 

The partial solar eclipse lasted 1 hour and 46 minutes here in the Portland area, beginning at 10:33 a.m. and ending at 12:19 p.m. The peak was at 11:25 a.m. — though clouds obscured much of the view.

The photo below was captured by Ben Nickle, who is the head of the astronomy club, and a Senior at Tualatin High School. 

“We’re actually incredibly lucky to even get eclipses in the first place. The Moon is around 400 times smaller than the Sun, but it’s also 400 times closer, so it’s just the right size to perfectly block the Sun out in the sky. None of the other planets in the Solar System have this ratio, so eclipses are extra special on Earth.” Nickel said. 

The path of totality entered the US in Texas, and then traveled through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont and New Hampshire and left in Maine. 

Across the country, people flocked to these states in order to witness this event. Locals in these areas got to attend or host eclipse watch parties, while the influx of tourists had residents on high alert. Oregon, on the other hand, was far from this path. 

However, just because Portland residents weren’t able to see the full eclipse first-hand without traveling, they could have still joined in on the fun. OMSI hosted an eclipse celebration on April 8, 2024, which included snacks, activities, informational presentations and live streams from cities in the path of totality.