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.

The second total solar eclipse is coming up on April 8, 2024. The two eclipse paths form an intersection just south of the SIU campus around Cedar Lake.