Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest prepares for Partial Solar Eclipse on April 8
An exciting astronomical event is coming to Georgia! On Monday, April 8th, a total solar eclipse will pass over the United States. While Georgia is not in the path of totality, a partial eclipse will be visible across the state. The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest team is looking forward to welcoming visitors who wish to view the eclipse on Forest lands. According to the National Weather Service, “a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, casting the Moon’s shadow on Earth.” During a partial solar eclipse, the Moon only obscures a section of the Sun, so the Sun will appear to be crescent-shaped. The partial solar eclipse will be visible from any of the four ranger districts across the Forest. A higher eclipse magnitude indicates that a higher percentage of the Sun will be covered by the Moon. Check out this chart to plan your eclipse viewing:
| District | Conasauga Ranger District | Blue Ridge Ranger District | Chattooga River Ranger District | Oconee Ranger District |
| Nearby city/town | Chatsworth | Blairsville | Lakemont | Eatonton |
| Start time | 1:46 PM | 1:48 PM | 1:48 PM | 1:47 PM |
| Peak time | 3:05 PM | 3:06 PM | 3:07 PM | 3:05 PM |
| End time | 4:21 PM | 4:22 PM | 4:22 PM | 4:21 PM |
| Max percent coverage | 86.0% | 84.8% | 83.5% | 78.3% |
Source: NASA
The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest anticipates an uptick in visitors to popular recreation sites on the day of the eclipse. Protect local wildlife and preserve the environment by practicing the principles of Leave No Trace. In particular, remember to place trash in appropriate bins and to park only in designated spaces. Safety Officer Matt Rushton reminds visitors of unique safety concerns that arise during an eclipse. “Looking directly at the sun, even during a normal day, can cause significant damage to your eyes,” Rushton said. “While the eclipse does pose additional danger, with the right preparation, you can safely enjoy it!” In order to stay safe, come prepared with a pair of eclipse-viewing glasses or a handheld eclipse viewer. Camera lenses, telescopes, binoculars, sunglasses, and other eyewear will not properly protect your eyes from the sun. In lieu of glasses or a handheld viewer, try an indirect viewing method like a pinhole camera or optical projection to watch the eclipse.