Illinois Public Media Newsroom is covering the solar eclipse live, sharing updates and reactions from across the state to capture the excitement of this astronomical event. Michael E. Matheny, MD, MS, MPH Total eclipse on April 8, 2024 captured by Michael E. Matheny, MD, MS, MPH Eclipse watchers in Indianapolis on April 8, 2024.
The town of McLeansboro, Illinois, has a population of less than 3,000 people. But it’s expecting hundreds of visitors for the solar eclipse, as the town is directly in the line of totality. To celebrate this historical event, the McLeansboro Kiwanis Club hosted a two-day festival with live music, food trucks and special guests, including
Officials at the City of Carbondale, approximately two hours southeast of St. Louis, anticipate approximately 50,000 people will descend on the college town to experience this year’s total solar eclipse, dwarfing their population of about 21,700.
Eclipse watchers who get clouded or rained out can still watch the spectacle online via broadcasts from The Associated Press, NASA and others.