The Total Solar Eclipse Was an Incredible Experience at North Country Rivers

The solar eclipse in April 2024 was a significant event, particularly for those in the path of totality, where the moon completely covered the sun, creating a total solar eclipse.

Here at North Country Rivers, we had a terrific crowd for the event, and we want to thank everyone who joined us for this momentous occasion!

What Happened During the Solar Eclipse in Maine?

Partial Eclipse Visibility: For most parts of Maine, the eclipse was visible as a partial solar eclipse. This means that the moon covered a portion of the sun’s disk but not completely. The sky darkened somewhat, akin to a very cloudy day, but it did not become as dark as during totality.

Path of Totality: Some areas in northern and central Maine, particularly in the northeast part of the state, were within the path of totality. Observers in these locations experienced the full spectacle of the total solar eclipse. The sky became very dark, stars became visible, and the temperature dropped noticeably. The sun’s corona, its outer atmosphere, was visible as a glowing ring around the dark silhouette of the moon. 

Bingham, Maine, was just inside the path of totality!

Here are a few characteristics of what the eclipse was like:

Total Eclipse Experience: Being inside the path of totality means that, for a brief period, observers in Bingham witnessed the moon completely covering the sun. Daylight turned into an eerie twilight as the brightness of the day gave way to a deep, twilight-like darkness in the middle of the day.

Visibility of the Corona: During the moments of totality, when the sun was fully covered by the moon, the sun’s corona — its outer atmosphere — became visible. This appeared as a glowing, ethereal halo around the dark silhouette of the moon, and was a sight many described as awe-inspiring.

Drop in Temperature: As the sun’s light was blocked out, there was a noticeable drop in temperature. It felt like the sudden onset of evening, with the associated cooling.

Duration of Totality: The total phase of the eclipse, where the moon completely covers the sun, lasted only a short while — typically around two to three minutes, depending on your exact location within the path of totality. Before and after totality, the sun was partially covered by the moon, creating a partial eclipse visible for a longer period. 

For Bingham, Maine, the total eclipse lasted about two minutes, beginning around 3:30 p.m. on April 8.