JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Anticipation is building as the Great American Solar Eclipse approaches.
An estimated 36 million Americans are expected to find themselves within the path of totality, as this event sweeps across the continent starting from Mexico on Monday, April 8, and making its journey over the United States and Eastern Canada.
Residents of Jacksonville and the First Coast should be aware that they will only witness a partial eclipse, with approximately 64% coverage. It's a glimpse at this phenomena, but not quite the awe-inspiring total eclipse, which promises an entirely different experience.
Anita Dey, a representative from NASA, emphasized the profound impact of such celestial events, remarking, "It is truly awe-inspiring, and awe is very good for us; it’s good for our mental health; it takes us outside of ourselves."
The path of totality is where the real magic happens. Along this narrow corridor traversing the country, the sun will be entirely obscured, allowing observers a few fleeting minutes to gaze directly at the sun, or more accurately, at the moon covering it.
But why is this phenomenon so rare? While we witness a new moon every month, the moon's orbit is slightly tilted at a 5 degree angle relative to the Earth's orbit around the sun. Consequently, solar eclipses only occur when the moon's orbit intersects the plane of Earth's orbit around the sun at specific points called nodes.
Adding to the cosmic intrigue, the sun is about 400 times larger than the moon, yet it is also approximately 400 times farther away from Earth. This cosmic coincidence results in the sun and moon appearing to be the same size from our vantage point on Earth's surface, thus allowing for the total solar eclipse.
Now, how can you safely view this celestial spectacle? One of the best methods is to acquire specialized solar viewing glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard. These glasses are specially designed to block harmful solar radiation, ensuring your eyes remain protected. Remember, never attempt to look directly at the sun with the naked eye.
For those interested in capturing the moment, solar filters designed for telescopes, binoculars, or camera lenses are essential to shield your equipment from the sun's intense rays.
Alternatively, you can create a pinhole projector by making a small hole in a piece of cardboard and projecting the image of the eclipse onto another surface, such as a piece of paper or the ground.
If you're on the First Coast and wondering where to catch the action, the Orange Park Mall will be distributing solar eclipse glasses leading up to and during the event. Additionally, the University of North Florida (UNF) will be hosting a viewing party from noon to 2 p.m.
Stay updated on all eclipse-related news and information by following NASA on Twitter. You can also utilize various apps to calculate your location and determine when the eclipse will occur and what to expect.