News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Clouds cover the sun in Alpena on Wednesday. On April 8, a total solar eclipse will throw shade over all of Michigan. People in Alpena are expected to witness 90% coverage of the sun.

ALPENA — People in Alpena will have a great seat for the upcoming total solar eclipse that will throw shade over almost the entirety of Michigan during the afternoon of April 8.

According to the American Astronomical Society, Alpena is predicted to have about 90% coverage of the sun.

The eclipse is to begin at 2:01 p.m. on April 8 and move past the run at about 3:17 p.m.

Solar eclipses occur when the moon passes directly between the sun and Earth’s orbits, creating an eclipse of Earth’s view of the sun.

During the eclipse, people are urged not to look into the sun, but instead to purchase a pair of specially designed “eclipse glasses” that meet the ISO 12312-2 safety standard. This means attempting to make a pair of do-it-yourself glasses or devices could prove harmful and ineffective.

Cities in Michigan, such as Detroit and Ann Arbor are expected to experience 99% of the coverage of the sun. When the eclipse reaches its peak, the sky will darken and temperatures could drop a few degrees until the moon continues its journey. Beyond the glean of the sun.

In all, there are 15 states in the direct path of the eclipse. Including Michigan.

Michigan’s last total solar eclipse was June 30, 1954, and the next total solar eclipse over Michigan will occur on Sept. 14, 2099, when the path of totality crosses the southwest Lower Peninsula.

The last time the heart of the eclipse passed over the Alpena area was in Jan. of 1925 when The Upper Peninsula and northern Michigan the path of the eclipse passed over the northern part of the state.

The next time a solar eclipse is expected to totally encompass the sun in northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula is in October in the year 2144.

Before the solar eclipse in April, there will be a penumbral lunar eclipse on March 25, from 12:53 a.m. until 5:32 a.m.

A penumbral lunar eclipse takes place when the moon moves through the faint, outer part of Earth’s shadow. This type of eclipse is not as dramatic as other types of lunar eclipses and is often mistaken for a regular full moon.

Only a sliver of the eclipse will be seen in Alpena during the early morning hours. The next full lunar eclipse that may be viewable in Michigan isn’t until March 2025. The entire eclipse will be visible in all of Michigan.