Solar Eclipse

Max View in Bedford, Indiana

Global Event: Total Solar Eclipse
Local Type: Total Solar Eclipse in Bedford, Indiana
Begins: Mon, Apr 8, 2024 at 1:48 p.m.
Maximum: Mon, Apr 8, 2024 at 3:06 p.m. 1.016 Magnitude
Ends: Mon, Apr 8, 2024 at 4:22 p.m.
Duration: 2 hours, 34 minutes
Totality: 3 minutes, 43 seconds

Make a pinhole viewer. Remind your kids that looking directly at the sun is very dangerous, but that it’s okay to stand with the sun behind them and watch the eclipse indirectly using a pinhole viewer. They’ll have fun making one themselves, using a shoe box, some foil, and a pin!

Create sun prints. Human eyes can’t see ultraviolet light, but using construction paper, kids can create sun prints to see for themselves how the sun’s powerful UV rays break down dyes and bleach paper. 

Pop a balloon using the sun’s energy. With the sun behind you and a magnifying glass in hand, it’s fun to pop an inflated balloon by focusing the sun’s hot energy on a tiny spot! Tell your kids, during a total eclipse, that the sun’s rays are completely blocked out by the moon and the temperature actually drops a little bit in the moon’s shadow.

Business Hours for April 8th

Bedford Federal Savings Bank

  • 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Holts Cafe

  • 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

James Insurance

  • 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Rockin Rebels/Fit Chicks

  • Closed

Are you ready?

Before the eclipse

During the eclipse

After the eclipse

Other questions you will want to answer:

  • What time does the eclipse occur at my chosen viewing location?
  • How long it takes to get there on a typical day?
  • How much extra time should you allow for excessive traffic?
  • What time should you plan to leave home?
  • What route do you plan to take to get there?

Business owners should take the following precautions: 

  • Notify customers and request flexibility in scheduling service or deliveries after the eclipse date. 
  • Ensure adequate supplies of raw materials, food, and fuel needed for your operation and workers. Notify suppliers of potential congestion and alter delivery dates if required. 
  • Inform employees of the potential impact on their work and families to ensure they can take necessary precautions.
  • Educate drivers about increased hazards, be prepared for parked vehicles along roadways, and be alert for pedestrians, unexpected stops, and long delays.  
  • Contact local city/county resources, such as law enforcement, for guidance on safely preventing trespassers from organizing to watch the event on your property, which could result in unintended liabilities. 

Keith’s tips for capturing a perfect shot of the eclipse:

Canon “Explorer of Light” Keith Ladzinski, a National Geographic Photographer and Emmy-nominated director shared these tips and tricks for capturing this incredible moment.

Choosing a Camera: While just about any camera can work, consider Canon’s EOS R series for a solar eclipse. Full-frame cameras like the EOS R5 or R8 offer high quality, while APS-C cameras like the EOS R50 or R100 provide a larger sun disk due to their smaller sensor size.

Choosing a Lens: Choose a lens based on your desired sun or moon size relative to your camera’s sensor. Consider lenses like the RF15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens for wide-angle shots during a solar eclipse.

Choosing a Solar Filter: Select a solar filter with CE or ISO certification for safe viewing and photography. Make sure it covers the front of your lens and rear filter trays for super telephotos. Avoid using ND filters for direct viewing, as they may not block harmful light. Improper filters can damage your camera.

Choosing a Tripod and Head: Use a sturdy tripod to prevent fatigue during the lengthy eclipse. Opt for one with four-section legs for portability and ensure it reaches eye level without fully extending. Choose a suitable head, such as an equatorial, gimbal, or ball and socket, for aiming your camera upward during the event.

What to do when the eclipse happens: Use a solar filter for partial phases, remove it 15 seconds before totality for the diamond ring effect, and five seconds before for Baily’s beads. During totality, photograph the corona. Reapply the filter after totality for remaining partial phases. Be cautious of direct sunlight without the filter.

Camera Solar Exposure: You can achieve better eclipse photos by using manual exposure mode, testing your equipment and solar filter beforehand, and periodically checking your settings on eclipse day for optimal results.