In case you haven't heard, there's an eclipse today! But of course you’ve heard—how could you miss
it in this day of the 24/7 news cycle? Every channel and every social media
feed has been counting down to it breathlessly. Our clockwork universe has its
cycles and seasons, and those who watch the skies have known this was coming
(just like the know when the next one will be, and the next).
The science of it is very simple. A total solar
eclipse occurs when the moon appears to completely cover the sun. Of course the
sun is larger than the moon, but because the moon is much closer to
Earth—around 239,000 miles as opposed to the sun’s 93,000,000 miles—it is just
the right distance away to line up every eighteen months or so in a way that
blocks the sun’s face, either completely or partially, and we are suddenly
standing in its shadow.
The upcoming eclipse is getting an especially
large media presence because here in the US, it is making itself know from
coast to coast. The “path of totality” includes a 70-mile-wide swath of
territory cutting across the United States from Oregon to South Carolina. An
early twilight will descend. Temperatures will fall. Streaks of light called a
corona will appear around the sun. People just outside of the totality zone
will experience a partial eclipse, which should still be an awesome sight.
If you’re interested in checking out how close
you’ll be to the path of totality, NASA has provided a handy map at its
website: https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov
The site also includes viewing information—like
the fact that you should never look at a solar eclipse with the naked eye, not
even for a second—and other interesting scientific and historical facts about
the event.
Some other sites to help you out during this,
the day of the Great American Eclipse:
Another prediction pretty much guaranteed to
come true? There will be lots of traffic. Get the scoop of the state of your
route with Google’s handy traffic density predictor covering the entire path of
totality.
Can’t get outside to see it? NASA has you
covered. They’ll be live streaming it from twelve locations, including some
cameras on planes and hot air balloons, so you’re guaranteed to get a front row
seat. https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/eclipse-live-stream
Not sure what the event will look like in your neck
of the woods? TIME magazine has created a simulator that allows you to punch in
your zip code and glimpse what the event will look like second by second from
where you’re standing. http://time.com/4882923/total-solar-eclipse-map-places-view/
Forgot to get eclipse-viewing glasses? Don’t
care to look directly at a flaming ball of gas that could blind you? NASA also
explains how to make a simple viewing device that creates a pretty cool effect
all on its own. https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/learn/project/how-to-make-a-pinhole-camera/
Regardless of how the eclipse fits into your day, do take some time to appreciate the science and storytelling happening around this astrological event. Fingers crossed I’ll be seeing some of you in the shadow of the moon.
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