Eclipse: To fail to appear, to be abandoned. But also to be together with humanity through time.

What's coming on April 8, 2024, with a path of totality stretching right through southern Illinois from Alexander County to Clark County? A total solar eclipse. The next one won't be for two decades.

The origin of the word in Greek means "to be abandoned," or "to fail to appear," but when I think about the upcoming eclipse all I can think about is how this celestial event, uncontrolled and uncontrollable by people, has been experienced by humans for millennia.

It feels like a great connector - irrespective of the etymology. Just a week ago I was in Marshall, Illinois, which has been gearing up for months to host a three-day series of free "Meet me in Marshall for the Eclipse" events.

We're lucky this year in Illinois to have lots of sites to choose from to share an experience with the totality. The total solar eclipse will arrive over the state starting at 1:58 p.m. CDT with the final exit of the Moon’s shadow from Illinois at 2:06 p.m. CDT. Great American Eclipse has detailed information about the path of totality in Illinois. In Chicago, just 94% of the Sun will be covered by the Moon (at 2:07 p.m. CDT) but if you want to get closer to 100% you can check out this list of Illinois cities in the path.