This article was contributed by community member David Baumgartner as part of a local series on astronomy. Lea este articulo en español aquÃ.
There is a lot of excitement going on for a good reason; for this isn’t just an ordinary solar eclipse. As far as solar eclipses go, we have different types.
A solar eclipse is when our moon transits or comes in front of the sun and blocks out the sunlight for a small area on Earth giving us the look of night and showing off stars and planets during the day time. We are very fortune because we have a special distance and alignment configuration.
Because the moon and the sun look the same size in the sky to us, it gives the look that the moon can completely cover the sun during an eclipse. However, the sun is 400 times larger but also 400 times further away than the moon giving us an unbelievable sight I’m quite sure is rare in the universe. Scientists say that the moon is moving away from the Earth about an inch or so each year, making us aware that in time we will no longer have total eclipses around to entertain us. (Now how does the scientist know these facts, through the internet, I guess). There will be eclipses but of a different type not as exciting as the ones we have today.
Let us get back to the different types of solar eclipses. The most common ones are the partial eclipses. This one looks more like a quarter moon, the difference is that you can’t look directly at it because it is still the sun you are looking at. For example, on April 8 if you are located outside of the eclipse’s path, as most of the lower states will be, you will have a look at a partial eclipse. Here in the Hollister and the Central Coast area we will see about a 40% eclipse of the sun, making it seem a little darker and cooler out. Most people won’t even notice it.
The second type is the annular eclipse. This happens when the moon is a little further away from Earth and doesn’t quite have the total size to cover the sun. In this case you have a small bright ring around the moon, called the Ring of Fire. Quite amazing, but still not the glory of the total eclipse.
Important note: The partial and annular eclipses require special glasses to observe them. Unless you are Donald T. that is.
Now the total eclipse is very special. Millions of people throughout the U.S. witnessed the total solar eclipse of Aug. 21, 2017; this was the first to cross the country since 1979. If you were lucky enough to see the 2017 eclipse, I’m sure you are already prepared for the one on April 8, 2024. Back in 2017 a number of astronomy wannabes and myself had planned to go to Oregon to see that eclipse. The day finally arrives, I’m all excited to go and my back goes out. So while my buddies were having the astronomical day of their lives, I was home looking at a partial eclipse in a soft chair. I could write a whole article on just that day alone, “Much Excitement.”
What is exciting is standing out in an open field with thousands of people all waiting for the same thing; to witness a total eclipse. One moment you are looking up at the sun, with appropriate protected sun glasses, in a beautiful bright blue sky with no sight of the oon anywhere. Then all of a sudden you hear cheers go out, as if their team just scored a touchdown. They see a chunk of the sun go dark, as if someone took a big bite out of it. Then slowly the chunk gets bigger and bigger. The sky starts to darken somewhat as you feel a slight chill in the air. The birds you heard happily chirping just minutes ago have gone silent, as if it were time for them to go night nights. I’ve seen shadows on the ground I cannot describe, so vivid and sharp. You notice as the sky continues to darken Venus and Jupiter along with a number of bright stars showing up in the daytime sky. Probably the most unusual is as you look around the area you notice a hugh dark shadow on the ground coming your way spreading out for miles. Finally it seems to stop right over head at the same time the moon completely covers over the sun showing off its beautiful corona. If that’s not the most striking view I’ve ever seen I don’t know what is; maybe that eerie shadow coming toward me. No, that would be second on the list.
If you were lucky enough, or had planned to be right in the middle of the eclipse’s path, you would be granted the total view, what an astronomical gift. Of course that all depends on the local weather that may come along with the view, and block it out completely. That would be sad.
That does remind me of a real close friend who took a long trip to Oregon last year to witness the second best eclipse; the annular with the Ring of Fire and all. Poor guy traveled all that way to watch some beautiful clouds, which he could have admired from Hollister, with the same affect. How embarrassing. I guess he just wasn’t the best planner. Alright, OK, it was me. It could happen to anybody. Well, it could….
Now on April 8, six of us; two couples and two single guys are driving to Austin to witness the total solar eclipse. We didn’t order clouds, so we should have clear skies that day. I did not know you could do that. Now they tell me.
On the way back we will be spending some time at Kitt Peak Observatory down by Tucson, to look through some big time telescopes. Then up to Flagstaff to visit Lowell Observatory, where the planet Pluto was discovered. All in all it should be a great time.
If you have never seen a total solar eclipse, and you are around my age, you might think about seeing this eclipse on the eight. If not, you will be in your 100s when the next cross country eclipse comes along. We could go together. We’ll probably have to get someone to drive us there.
Clear Skies
What’s up this month:
April 5: Moon passes 2° south of Mars
April 6: Moon passes 1.2° south of Saturn
April 7: Moon passes 0.4° south of Neptune
April 7: Moon passes 0.4° north of Venus
April 7: Moon is at perigee (222,979 miles from Earth)
April 8: New Moon- total solar eclipse
April 10: Moon passes 4° north of Jupiter
April 10: Moon passes 4° north of Uranus
April 10: Moon passes 0.5° north of Saturn
April 15: First Quarter Moon
April 18: Mercury passes 2° north of Venus
April 19: Moon is apogee (252,043 miles from Earth)
April 20: Jupiter passes 0.5 degrees south of Uranus
April 22: Lyrid meteor slower peaks
April 23: Full Moon
April 24: Mercury is stationary
April 26: Moon passes 0.3° north of Antares
April 28: Mars passes 0.04° south of Neptune
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