Cleveland Clinic's NICU babies prepare for total solar eclipse 2024

As the anticipation builds for the upcoming total solar eclipse, newborns at the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Ohio are gearing up for a unique celestial experience.

The hospital, situated in the path of the eclipse's totality for nearly four minutes on April 8, is ensuring its youngest patients are part of the excitement.

Cleveland, including Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital, is in the prime viewing spot for the eclipse. The patients at the hospital will view the eclipse, starting around 3:13pm local time on April 8th according to NASA. 

"Their eye covers aren’t the official glasses for viewing the solar eclipse, but they do protect their eyes from light used during certain therapy treatments in the NICU," the Cleveland Clinic said in its statement. 

Dressed in adorable onesies labelled "Total Solar Eclipse" and sporting eye covers resembling eclipse glasses, the infants are being prepped for the event.

"While our tiny patients won't be venturing outside to witness the eclipse firsthand, we wanted to make this day memorable for them," says Dana Traci, a nurse at Cleveland Clinic Children’s NICU.

The nurses expressed enthusiasm about involving the babies in milestone moments as they organised a special photo shoot to capture the occasion.

"We cherish every opportunity to celebrate with our NICU babies, whether it's a holiday, milestone, or a celestial event like this," adds Katrina Wiedenfeld, another NICU nurse.

"I fashioned my patient in her eclipse onesie, a classic baby hat with a bow and colorful pants for our fun photo shoot," Wiedenfeld said. "The families now have this special onesie to have as a keepsake to remember the total solar eclipse in Ohio."

Families will have keepsake photos of their little ones commemorating this rare celestial occurrence.

The total solar eclipse, slated for Monday, April 8, will be visible across North America. In Cleveland, viewers can witness nearly four minutes of totality starting around 3:13 p.m. local time.

As the eclipse traverses the U.S., it will create awe-inspiring moments for people across several states.

In Ohio, it marks a significant event not just for astronomy enthusiasts but also for the children at the Cleveland Clinic Children’s NICU, who are experiencing their own cosmic celebration.