What Portland will see during the solar eclipse
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Portland is a long way from the path of totality for Monday morning's solar eclipse, but we can still enjoy our modest display.
Why it matters: Total solar eclipses are rare — we won't see another one span the contiguous U.S. until 2045, Jim Todd, space educator at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), tells Axios.
The big picture: About 33% of the Sun will be obscured by the Moon for the eyes of Portland residents — with the eclipse lasting from 10:33am to 12:19pm, and peaking at 11:25am.
- The weather forecast for Monday in Portland is partly sunny, so weather permitting, Portlanders might notice a slight dimming at the peak of the event, says Todd.
- Just make sure you wear eclipse glasses designed for solar viewing — looking directly at the sun can permanently damage your retina.
What they're saying: "You might notice it looks a little more dusky, but we won't get any of those spectacular effects like at totality," Scott Fisher, director of the Pine Mountain Observatory in Bend, tells Axios.
- "And if it's cloudy, you might not notice anything, like a slightly thicker cloud passed in front of the sun."
If you go: OMSI has a free Partial Solar Eclipse Watch Party on Monday from 10:30am to 12:30pm on its plaza, with live streaming from the path of totality in the auditorium.
- Astronaut Michael Barratt from Camas, Washington, will be sending photos to OMSI from the International Space Station.
Zoom out: Oregon's southeastern corner will see the biggest eclipse, with Jordan Valley experiencing about 45% coverage.
National chains are cashing in: Krispy Kreme has a Total Solar Eclipse Doughnut with an Oreo cookie in the center.
- Sonic Drive-In has a new cotton candy and dragon fruit-flavored black slush float, which the chain says represents the eclipse's "temporary darkness."
What's next: On March 13, 2025, Portland will have a total lunar eclipse blood moon at midnight.