THE BRIGHT SIDE
A total eclipse of the sun.
No that’s not a reference to the monster hit song from years back. The next total solar eclipse will take place Monday, April 8th. A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the sun. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk. Americans are preparing to be wowed by this cosmic alignment of the Earth, moon, and sun. While the entire continental U.S. has a chance to see the moon clip the sun in the sky, only people within the narrow path of totality will get the full experience. The total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. During totality, when the moon completely covers the sun, NASA recommends that you take a few seconds to take a close look around you. During totality, you can look directly at the sun without your eclipse glasses.
You can see the sun’s brilliant white corona, or outer atmosphere, shining all around the moon’s black disk. Another phenomenon, known as shadow bands, can be seen racing along landscapes in the path of totality as the last slivers of observable sunlight are blocked by the moon. If it’s a clear day, the temperature may drop by as much as eight degrees during the total eclipse. You still need eclipse glasses if you’re not in the path of totality or want to look at the eclipse in the moments leading up to totality. It is not safe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing.
Viewing any part of the bright sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury. When watching the partial phases of the solar eclipse directly with your eyes, which happens before and after totality, you must look through safe solar viewing glasses. Southeastern Wisconsin will see a partial eclipse with 90% of the sun being obscured by the moon, the full effect lasting two to four minutes. We should start seeing the beginning of the eclipse around 12:41 p.m. Yerkes will hold an observatory open house during the eclipse. They will have a live stream of the total eclipse, solar observation outside, family activities, presentations, and more for every family to enjoy. The Open House will take place on April 8th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine. This does not include the use of telescopes within the building. Reservations are required.
Person of the Week
The public has voted and Todd Krause is the new mayor of the City of Lake Geneva. Congratulations Todd!
