NASA estimates that 31.6 millions people live in the path of today's total solar eclipse.
Here are some facts about solar eclipses:
- A solar eclipse occurs when the Sun, the Moon, and Earth are aligned. It's called syzygy. If you play Scrabble, remember that word. It's worth 21 points (without counting doubles or triples).
- A solar eclipse can only happen at New Moon.
- Eclipse totalities are different lengths.
- Today's total eclipse will last a maximum of 4 minutes 28 seconds, and that will happen over the small town of Nazas, Mexico.
- The longest possible total solar eclipse is 7 minutes 32 seconds.
- The temperature can drop by 20 degrees during a total solar eclipse.
- Wildlife reacts to solar eclipses.
- There will be 69 solar eclipses over the next 100 years, but most of them will only be seen over the water.
- The first solar eclipse was recorded more than 4,000 years ago in China. At the time, the inhabitants thought a dragon was eating the sun.
Beware of people selling fake glasses and keep your eyes safe. Happy watching!
J. S.
I am in an area of partial eclipse, a little more west and I'd be in total. Have my glasses and will decide if I want to look. What's new in your writing agenda?
ReplyDeleteTwo finished stories ready for release in Fall 2024 & Fall 2025, one work in progress, and one work in early stages. Thanks for asking, Janet!
DeleteAs a child, in school, I remember blackening a piece of glass with a candle, then looking at the eclipse through the darkened glass. We didn't have eclipse glasses in those days. I will always remember the feeling of that first eclipse. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWe are near total. Waiting to see how much of the cloud coverage we get. At least I don't have to worry about fake glasses. The manufacturer is the next county over.
ReplyDeleteSyzygy--a wonderful word in or out of Scrabble. It's also an X-files episode title and the end of a civilization on The 3 Body Problem. :)
ReplyDelete