Its not too late to reserve a solar eclipse viewing party near you. August 21st is the total solar eclipse and whole world is excited about the natural celestial event. Weird stories including Lizard men in South Carolina and sold out Porta Potties in Oregon make us wonder more about the Total Solar Eclipse.
Solar Eclipse
Solar eclipse is the natural event in the space when the moon comes in between the sun and earth. Then, the people on earth are unable to see the sun for a few minutes to hours. You may remember that the earth rotates on its own axis and revolves around the sun. Moon revolves around the earth and during the solar eclipse, it appears that the moon is blocking the sun. Only few parts of the earth are able to view total solar eclipse, while others can see partial solar eclipse.
Viewing Parties
All the public libraries and museums are arranging viewing areas to see the solar eclipse. Private groups are getting together to see the solar eclipse. In Oregon, all the Porta Potties have been pre-booked for the solar eclipse viewing parties. In South Carolina, police are warning people not to kill the Lizard men that may appear during the solar eclipse. Lizard men are weird humans similar to Big Foot and police are requesting to report any sightings. 🙂
Some cultures ban viewing the solar eclipse as it is perceived to be bad. Some prevent cooking or eating during the eclipse as the bad rays tend to spoil the food. Some pregnant women avoid going out during the eclipse as it may harm the baby. Scientists are arguing that the plants and animals may behave differently during the solar eclipse.
After 38 years, the United States is getting an opportunity to view the total solar eclipse though there were partial, annular, and hybrid eclipses after 1979. Electric and solar operators are concerned about the operation of the solar equipment and power plants during the solar eclipse.
Safety
NASA is emphasizing the safety during the solar eclipse. Experts are warning not buy cheap solar glasses and normal sun glasses are not suggested for viewing solar eclipse. Organizers of the viewing parties are arranging for safe glasses that are good for viewing the solar eclipse. Cheap glasses can be spotted by holding them against car head lights at night. If the light is passing through the glasses, they are not safe for eclipse viewing and can damage the eyes. Special eclipse glasses are manufactured that can block the ultra violet and infra-red rays during the eclipse.
Solar Eclipse Viewing
Solar Eclipse of 2017 in the USA is first visible in Oregon at 9 am. The eclipse will pass through Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and North and South Carolina. The maximum time of 2 minutes and 38 seconds eclipse can be viewed in Carbondale, IL. The eclipse will end in South Carolina at 2pm.
Some eclipse chasers are tailgating the path in the USA while others are travelling out the country for different experience. Special Amtrak trains to Carbondale, IL are already sold out! About five hours drive from the Quad Cities, Carbondale is having the largest viewing events.
Quad Cities Solar Eclipse Events
In the Quad Cities, local libraries are passing out safe sunglasses and arranging the viewing areas. Some libraries are having preparatory events before August 21.
- Moline Public Library: 11.30 am to 2 pm. Sponsored by Popular Astronomy Club Quad Cities
- Putnam Museum: The event is sold out, but you can check for any cancellations. From 11 am to 2 pm, there will be presentations and live casts.
- Rock Island Public Library: 11.30 am to 2 pm. Offering free eclipse glasses for first 100 viewers.
- Davenport Public Library: 12pm to 2 pm. Making pin-hole cameras and eclipse viewing
- Bettendorf Public Library: 12.30 pm to 2 pm. Free glasses available or make pin-hole cameras. Special presentations about the solar system
Next total solar eclipse in the USA is in 2045. Some parts of the world may not see the solar eclipse at all. For kids, this is a right event to view the science they studied in the text books. Some universities have declared holiday for the solar eclipse viewing on August 21, 2017. So, gear up for the grand solar eclipse this year and let me know how it went. Many are complaining that the solar eclipse is falling on a week day, but we can’t control the sun ha 🙂