Will I See The Total Solar Eclipse In Reston?

RESTON, VA — Excitement is building in Reston for the April 8 total solar eclipse. We’re not among some 32 million Americans living in the path of totality, but neither will we miss out on the celestial sensation.

Although school systems in some areas of the state, such as Arlington and Fredericksburg, are either providing protective eyewear or dismissing early, Fairfax County Public Schools will not have any schedule changes on Monday due to the eclipse.

However, a spokesperson said, "we do have safety protocols in place to ensure students are protected while viewing the eclipse." Because the eclipse may coincide with dismissal, schools are directing students and staff to solar eclipse educational and safety resources through the FCPS website.

Related: Solar Eclipse Prompts No Schedule Changes At Fairfax County Schools

In the United States, the path of totality extends from Texas to Maine, but each of the 48 continental states will see some of the solar eclipse, which occurs when the moon slips between our bright star and Earth. In Reston the moon will cover about 87.7 percent of the sun at the peak of the eclipse, according to a NASA map that is searchable by ZIP code.

Here are the details:

• Partial eclipse begins: 2:04 p.m
• Maximum: 3:20 p.m.
• Partial ends: 4:32 p.m.

The eclipse will last 2 hours and 28 minutes from beginning to end in Reston.

Here are some of the places around Fairfax County to watch the eclipse:

• Ellanor C. Lawrence Park (2-4 p.m.)
• Burke Lake Park (2-4 p.m.)
• Historic Huntley (1:30-4:30 p.m.)
• Turner Farm Park (1:30-4:30 p.m.)

Right now, it looks like we could have partly cloudy skies for the big event, according to NASA's forecast.

• Related: You Must Protect Your Eyes, Regardless Of Eclipse Totality: What You Need

The total solar eclipse starts in Mexico, entering the United States in Texas and traveling through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, as well as small parts of Tennessee and Michigan, before entering Canada in southern Ontario through Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton before exiting continental North America on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland, Canada.

• Related: Animals May Behave Oddly During Eclipse