Astronomer Bob Allen talks eclipse, as event nears — though won’t be totally seen in La Crosse

Have you made plans yet to view next week’s eclipse?

The next total solar eclipse to occur over the Midwest happens Monday, and travelers have made plans to view the eclipse on a path that goes from Texas to New England.

La Crosse will see up to 85 percent of the sun covered by the moon at the height of the eclipse, but local astronomer Bob Allen, who runs the planetarium at UW-la Crosse, told WIZM the full sky show will last about two hours.

“Within a couple minutes either way, it starts around 1 p.m.,” Allen said, “peak of over 80 percent coverage is around 2 o’clock, and it’s over a little after 3.”

Allen has headed to Tennessee to get a prime viewing spot for the spectacle.

He said you don’t get the full effect of the moon passing in front of the sun unless you’re in the path of full totality — from Texas to the east coast.

“I don’t care whether you’re 1 percent partial, or 99 plus percent partial, you’re not in totality,” Allen said.

A special viewing station will be set up in La Crosse’s Riverside Park.

Experts caution against looking directly at the sun during the eclipse, suggesting an indirect view through cardboard cutouts, or through the holes of a kitchen strainer.