April 8 eclipse in Alabama: How much coverage you’ll see in your city and when
Although Alabama is not in the path of “totality” during the April 8 eclipse – meaning we won’t see total darkness when the moon covers the sun – residents will see from 78 to 92 percent coverage, depending on location. However, according to current forecasts, some areas of Alabama are expecting rain so be sure to check weather.com.
The last major eclipse in Alabama was Aug. 21, 2017, when Huntsville saw 97 percent coverage of the sun by the moon, central Alabama saw about 90 percent and Mobile saw 80 percent coverage.
Percentages of coverage will be similar in Alabama this year.
READ MORE: 7 great national and state parks to view the April 8 eclipse
If you decided to stay in Alabama rather than driving to an area of totality, you can determine your best viewing times and percentage of coverage in your area by typing your zip code into NASA’s interactive eclipse map. Find it here.
Be sure to have proper eclipse viewing glasses, available at Walmart, or telescope, available at Orion. Some people have reported scammers selling fake eclipse glasses, so be sure to open the glasses and test them before viewing to avoid seriously damaging your eyes.
READ MORE: 10 fun and funky eclipse festivals to attend in the south
We checked the NASA map for eclipse percentages and times in several major Alabama cities at the time of this writing.
Here’s the information (all times CDT):
Huntsville
Eclipse coverage: 89.7 percent
Begin watching: 12:42 p.m.
Partial coverage: 1:25 p.m.
Reach 89.7 percent coverage: 2:01 p.m.
Moon clears sun completely: 3:18 p.m.
Florence
Eclipse coverage: 92.2 percent
Begin watching: 12:41 p.m.
Partial coverage: 1:24 p.m.
Reach 92.2 percent coverage: 2 p.m.
Moon clears sun completely: 3:17
Birmingham
Eclipse coverage: 86 percent
Begin watching: 12:41 p.m.
Partial coverage: 1:23 p.m.
Reach 86 percent coverage: 2 p.m.
Moon clears sun completely: 3:17 p.m.
Tuscaloosa
Eclipse coverage: 86.6 percent
Begin watching: 12:39 p.m.
Partial coverage: 1:21 p.m.
Reach 86.6 percent coverage: 1:58 p.m.
Moon clears sun completely: 3:16 p.m.
Montgomery
Eclipse coverage: 80.9 percent
Begin watching: 12:40 p.m.
Partial coverage: 1:21 p.m.
Reach 80.9 percent coverage: 1:59 p.m.
Moon clears sun completely: 3:17 p.m.
Mobile
Eclipse coverage: 79.4 percent
Begin watching: 12:34 p.m.
Partial coverage: 1:15 p.m.
Reach 79.4 percent coverage: 1:54 p.m.
Moon clears sun completely: 3:12 p.m.