Kentucky’s Next Total Solar Eclipse Is 127 Years Away

If you've missed any of our recent total solar eclipses, and you're looking forward to the next one over Kentucky, then I'm afraid you are SOL (ar). Couldn't resist. But yes, unless you've made a certain extraordinary scientific breakthrough that you need to share with the rest of us, that window has closed. The train has left the station. The ship has sailed. Pick your cliché.

Remember When Totality Came to Town?

But before we dive into paths of totality and, I suppose, paths of futility, let's take a step back and realize how lucky we've been over the last decade to witness these magnificent astronomical events. When I was a kid, the phrase "total solar eclipse" carried with it an enormous vibe. It was something I couldn't imagine happening more than once in my lifetime. What's funny is that NASA could likely have told me exactly when future eclipses would occur, even back then.

The Next One Over Kentucky? Try 2153

I say that because the next total solar eclipse whose path of totality crosses central Indiana and the Commonwealth is 127 years away. That gives us all plenty of time to plan the viewing party.

NASA's eclipse calculations put the next total solar eclipse crossing northeastern Indiana on September 14, 2099. That's still a long way off, but it's Indiana's next shot at totality. (And yes, some of today's kids could conceivably be around to see it.)

The next one whose path of totality crosses central Indiana and Kentucky isn't expected until October 17, 2153. When it arrives, totality is expected to last 1 minute, 33 seconds in Evansville and 2 minutes, 21 seconds in Owensboro.

(Uh, I'm afraid you'll need to call your favorite party-supply store and cancel those streamers.)

So make those memories of August 21, 2017, and April 8, 2024, last. If you're waiting for the next total solar eclipse over Kentucky, you'd better make sure your party-planning skills are passed down through several generations.