Total Solar Eclipse: How Much We’ll See In La Grange, When To See It

LA GRANGE, IL — Excitement is building in La Grange for the Monday, April 8 total solar eclipse. We’re among about 32 million people living in the path of totality for the celestial sensation.

In the United States, the path of totality extends from Texas to Maine, but each of the 48 continental states will see some of the solar eclipse, which occurs when the moon slips between our bright star and Earth. In La Grange, the moon will cover about 94 percent of the sun at the peak of the eclipse, according to a NASA map that is searchable by ZIP code.

Here are the details for La Grange:

• Partial eclipse begins: 12:51 p.m.
• Totality begins: 1:33 p.m.
• Maximum: 2:07 p.m.
• Totality ends: 2:40 p.m.
• Partial ends: 3:21 p.m.

The eclipse will last 151 minutes from beginning to end in La Grange.

Where to view the solar eclipse

Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago

MSI has a plethora of eclipse activities inside and outside on April 8. Watch the moon cross the path of the sun through outdoor telescopes, watch a NASA livestream with the Museum's own NASA Solar System Ambassador, or take part in family- and student-friendly hands-on activities. In case of cloudy weather, telescope viewing outdoors will not be available. However, a livestream of the total eclipse from southern Illinois will continue in the Giant Dome Theater. Can’t make it to the museum? MSI satellite viewing locations will be available at Millennium Park, the Michigan Avenue bridge, Oak Street Beach, or the DuSable Museum. All activities included with entry fee. Buy tickets online. Eclipse activities are from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Adler Planetarium, 1300 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive,

Chicago Adler Planetarium is planning a free Eclipse Encounter ’24 event, with activities around the outside of the planetarium where attendees will be encouraged to walk around, hang out, and observe the sky while the eclipse is happening. Features Safe solar viewing and eclipse photography through telescopes on the Telescope Terrace, solar viewer giveaways (while supplies last) and photo ops with Big Solar Eclipse glasses. Tickets are not required for this free outdoor (weather dependent) event. Indoor activities are available inside the planetarium, including the temporary Chasing Eclipses exhibit. Tickets must be purchased online in advance. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Trailside Museum of Natural History, 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest

The Forest Preserves of Cook County is offering solar viewing at the Trailside Museum of Natural History. Learn about a partial solar eclipse and view the eclipse through a special solar telescope and eclipse glasses (weather permitting). Free. 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, 9800 Willow Springs Rd., Willow Springs. Watch this rare natural phenomenon at the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center. Telescopes ready for viewing, weather permitting. 1 to 3 p.m.

• Related: You Must Protect Your Eyes, Regardless Of Eclipse Totality: What You Need

La Grange's weather is expected to be partly cloudy.

The total solar eclipse starts in Mexico, entering the United States in Texas and traveling through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, as well as small parts of Tennessee and Michigan, before entering Canada in southern Ontario through Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton before exiting continental North America on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland, Canada.

• Related: Animals May Behave Oddly During Eclipse