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Southern Illinois Crossroads Eclipse Festival

April 8, 2024 • 1:59 p.m. CDT
Carbondale, IL

Imagine being in the perfect place for an astronomical wonder…again! Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located at the intersection of the 2017 and 2024 total solar eclipse paths of totality where you can experience this twice in a lifetime awe-inspiring event on April 8, 2024.

While the entire country will see a partial solar eclipse, you must be in the narrow path of totality that sweeps across Southern Illinois to experience the unique features of a total solar eclipse. Only at this time and in the right location can you witness the sky darken as if it was night as the Moon blocks out all direct sunlight and the solar corona, the atmosphere of the Sun, reveals itself. In witnessing this event for the first time, people are often overcome with emotion and awe as the air cools, planets are visible, and an incredible 360 degree sunset is visible as the shadow of the Moon is cast on the earth.

On August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse path stretched across the entire United States, reaching its point of greatest duration (GD) a few miles south of Carbondale. This region in southern Illinois is not only in the path of the 2017 eclipse, but also the 2024 eclipse, making it a unique location for being able to perform observations of both eclipses from the same location.

Carbondale is on the center-line of the path of totality and will see 4 minutes and 9 seconds of totality for eclipse 2024, nearly double what was seen in 2017.The two eclipse paths form an intersection just south of the SIU campus around Cedar Lake.

SIU classes on Monday, April 8, 2024, will be canceled. The university will be open for the Crossroads Eclipse Festival. More Info

people sitting on lawn

Eclipse Day at Saluki Stadium

12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Saluki Stadium

Experience a unique eclipse event! SIU Carbondale teams up with Adler Planetarium, NASA EDGE, and more for a guided, fun-filled total solar eclipse experience. Doors open at 11am.

nasa grantee logo

Eclipse Merchandise

eclipse shirts

Eclipse merchandise is for sale in the University Bookstore in the Student Center and online.

Eclipse 2024 Posters

Eclipse 2024 Posters by Tyler Nordgren

Eclipse merchandise is for sale in the University Bookstore in the Student Center and online.

Events

Southern Illinois Crossroads Eclipse Festival

SIU will feature a variety of events on campus the day of the eclipse, with the main one being a public viewing at the football stadium. There also will be indoor viewing, talks and presentations, an arts and crafts fair, and an area dedicated to eclipse citizen science. We provide a unique family friendly experience rich with activities centered on the arts and sciences.

Experience the eclipse and 4 days of enriching and engaging activities at SIU Carbondale!

See All EventsTicket Information

Eclipse Crossroads Camping

If you enjoy camping and the great outdoors, there are campgrounds available near Carbondale. Evergreen Park, Shawnee National Forest, Giant City State Park and Crab Orchard Refuge offer camping facilities with scenic surroundings. These campgrounds typically provide spaces for tents and RVs, along with amenities like picnic areas, showers, and hiking trails.

Become an Eclipse Sponsor

With a partnership of YOU and Southern Illinois Crossroads Eclipse Festival there is nowhere to go but to the stars! Let’s partner and show the world what an amazing event we are not only putting together but helping everyone one coming with those memories that will last a lifetime!