Indianapolis, Indiana, is known for many things: the Indy 500, being the birthplace of actor Brendan Fraser and talk show host David Letterman, and the home of the Peyton Manning-led Super Bowl XVI champion Colts. But now the town whose nicknames include Circle City and the Crossroads of America is seeking a new title: the Eclipse Capital of the Midwest.
For an entire weekend in April, Indiana’s capital will host a series of events all centered around one extraordinary show taking place millions of miles up. That’s right, America — a total solar eclipse is headed our way.
Well, total, only for people in Indiana or 14 other states.
“If you look at the path, [it] starts down in Austin, goes up through Dallas and all the way through Buffalo, but if you think about true mid-western cities, Cleveland is in the path but Indianapolis is smack dab in the crossroads of America and we are expecting 100,000 visitors at minimum to our city,” Clare Clark with Visit Indy told Straight Arrow News, speaking on the tourism the eclipse is expected to bring to the city.
Explaining the total solar eclipse
On April 8, thousands will converge on Indy to join millions across the country looking up and gazing at the sky, as the sun, moon and Earth align in what’s called syzygy.
Dr. Kelly Korreck, the NASA program manager for the solar eclipse, said viewers will see the moon completely cover the sun, but that’s not all. Korreck said people will also see the sun’s outer corona — or atmosphere — which is “where our origins of space weather come from.”
A total solar eclipse is a rare event. It will be only the second time in seven years that the continental U.S. will experience one.
“There are 31.5 million people who are in that path and around 200 million who live within a few hours’ drive of that path,” Korreck said. “And the entire continental United States, as well as parts of Alaska and Hawaii, will be seeing a partial eclipse. So that’s over 300 million people will experience a part of this celestial event.”
Staying safe while viewing the eclipse
The same rules from the 2017 total solar eclipse apply here. Don’t look directly at the sun, at least for most of the eclipse. People will need solar viewing glasses or a handheld solar viewer to safely witness the eclipse and prevent eye damage. To view it using a camera, telescope or binoculars, people will need solar filters.
However, there is a time when it’s safe to look directly at the sun without any eye protection. People can take those shades off during the brief total phase.
“Now, during the totality itself, which can last up to four minutes in different parts of the U.S., you don’t need the glasses,” Dr. Alex Lockwood, NASA’s Eclipse Engagement lead, said. “You can actually look at the sun for the only time during the daytime. However, before and after, as the moon is eclipsing the sun, in order to witness this event and to see these spectacular Baily’s Beads that happen just as you see the craters of the moon, as the moon is fully covering the sun, in order to appreciate all of that phenomenon you need [to wear the eclipse] glasses.”
Those who don’t live in Indiana or any one of the 15 states in the 115-mile-wide path of totality are not out of luck, because a partial eclipse may still be visible. A partial eclipse happens when the moon covers most but not all of the sun. But even for a partial eclipse, people still need wear special glasses.
Sky’s the limit for eclipse-related offerings
However, if you are determined to see the total solar eclipse, how about viewing it at 30,000 feet?
Delta and Southwest are offering flights that pass through the path of totality. There was so much demand for it, Delta had to add a second path-of-totality flight after the first sold out.
Southwest partnered with Omni Hotels for a “Solarbration” sweepstakes. The lucky winner will fly on a plane predicted to be in the eclipse’s path and then stay in an out-of-this-world custom-designed hotel room inspired by the celestial event.
Businesses of all kinds are bringing the eclipse experience to customers in different ways.
Cleveland’s Market Garden Brewery created a hazy IPA called “The Totality.” The Donut Dude in Ohio is offering an eclipse special: seven donuts that display the different phases as the moon blocks the sun.
Fast-food spots are getting in on the fun, too. Sonic Drive-in released a limited-edition Blackout slush float that comes with a free pair of viewing glasses.
Indy becomes a top destination for total solar eclipse
Businesses and hotels in Indianapolis are buzzing in anticipation over the eclipse.
Clare Clark from Visit Indy touted the city is within a half-day drive to half of the nation’s population. Visit Indy is preparing for eclipse enthusiasts from Cincinnati, St. Louis, Madison, Wisconsin and other big cities to come and partake in the celebrations.
“If you want to take in the eclipse in the art and cultural lens you can go to Newfield which is our 152-acre museum,” Clark told Straight Arrow News.
Astronomy fans who also enjoy sports can camp out at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where NASA will be on hand to livestream the eclipse. NASA personnel will be joined by the family of Purdue alumnus Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the moon.
“We’re no stranger to hosting large scale events,” Clark said. “The Indianapolis 500 is the single largest sporting day event that brings 300,000 people to the Motor Speedway every May. This is what Indy does best. Our attractions, hotels, restaurants are all-hands-on-deck. We have 50 plus events that we are just monitoring right now in the city and more events are being added daily.”
Indy has company in wooing eclipse tourists
Indy is not alone in turning the eclipse into a memorable experience for tourists. All are hoping to see similar results to South Carolina in 2017, when that eclipse resulted in an economic impact of $269 million.
The Lone Star State, a major viewing hotspot for this eclipse, is hosting multiple events including the four-day Texas Eclipse Festival in Burnet. Morrilton, Arkansas, has an eclipse concert series and rising country music singer Dylan Marlowe is performing a post-eclipse concert in Rochester, New York.
The path of totality is certainly the place to be. Airbnb said it’s seen an increase of 1,000% in stays along the path. Expedia reported top cities are seeing massive spikes in hotel searches, up to 1,100%, and right there in the top 5 is that “Eclipse Capital of the Midwest” — Indianapolis.
“The eclipse won’t be coming through Indianapolis again until 2153, so this is truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Clark said. “And a proximity to all of those larger markets and how people can take a weekend or take a day trip to Indianapolis is what’s making us really hopeful about the influx of visitors we’re going to see on April 8.”