Solar Eclipse August 21, 2017

What is a solar eclipse? A total solar eclipse is when the Moon completely blocks the light of the Sun, which casts a shadow on the Earth. image credit:  https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/images/706822main_20121113-totaleclipse-orig_full.jpg

What are the positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon during a total solar eclipse? During a solar eclipse, the Moon is between the Sun and the Earth, blocking sunlight from reaching the Earth.  image credit:  http://americaneclipseusa.com/about-eclipses/celestial-causes-of-eclipses/

What is the path of totality?   image credit:  http://americaneclipseusa.com/about-eclipses/celestial-causes-of-eclipses/

What is the path of totality? The shadow that is created where all the sunlight is blocked is called the umbra.  People viewing the solar eclipse within the umbra will see a total solar eclipse.  The umbra travels across the surface of the Earth, as the Earth rotates on its axis.  The path of the umbra is called the path of totality, since people along that path will be able to see a total solar eclipse.   image credit:  http://americaneclipseusa.com/about-eclipses/celestial-causes-of-eclipses/

What is the path of totality? The shadow that is created where some of the sunlight is blocked is called the penumbra.  People viewing the solar eclipse within the penumbra will see a partial solar eclipse.  People in the path of totality will also see a partial eclipse before and after the total eclipse.  image credit:  http://americaneclipseusa.com/about-eclipses/celestial-causes-of-eclipses/

Are total solar eclipses pretty common? A total solar eclipse happens about once every 18 months somewhere on Earth, but the path of totality is usually not in the same location. The last total solar eclipse in the continental United States was in 1979. image credit:  http://www.space.com/25644-total-solar-eclipses-frequency-explained.html

Why don't total solar eclipses happen every month? image credit:  http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/eclipses/en

Why don't total solar eclipses happen every month? Because the Moon’s orbit is tilted, the shadow created by the Moon is usually above or below the Earth.  image credit:  http://americaneclipseusa.com/about-eclipses/celestial-causes-of-eclipses/

When do total solar eclipses happen? Earth’s orbit around the Sun is considered the plane of the ecliptic.  When the Moon’s orbit crosses the plane of the ecliptic, an eclipse can occur. Where the Moon’s orbit crosses the plane of the ecliptic is called a node. If the node is between the Sun and the Earth, we have a solar eclipse.  (When the Moon is at the other node, we have a lunar eclipse.  During a lunar eclipse, the Earth casts a shadow on the Moon.)  image credit:  http://americaneclipseusa.com/about-eclipses/celestial-causes-of-eclipses/

When will the eclipse start? During an eclipse, the Moon’s shadow does not instantly cover the entire Sun.  Rather, the Moon’s shadow slowly covers more and more of the Sun until totality.  (And then, the Moon’s shadow slowly reveals more and more of the Sun.)   image credit:   http://www.mreclipse.com/Special/SEprimer.html 

What are the phases of an eclipse? The eclipse from the beginning of first contact until the end of fourth contact can take several hours.  image credit:   https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/28/128-004-FE45A016.jpg  image credit:   http://www.space.com/3226-total-solar-eclipse-2016-phases-photo.html

When will the eclipse start in Columbia, SC? The total solar eclipse will occur on August 21, 2017. The first phase of the eclipse will begin in Columbia, SC, at 1:13PM Eastern Daylight Time.  Totality will start at 2:41PM Eastern Daylight Time and will end at 2:44PM Eastern Daylight Time. In the chart above, the time is given in UT, which stands for Universal Time.  To calculate Eastern Daylight Time from Universal Time, subtract 4 hours from UT.  (To calculate Eastern Standard Time, subtract 5 hours from UT.) image credit: eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogle/SEgoogle2001/SE2017Aug21Tgoogle.html

When will the eclipse start in other places? image credit: eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogle/SEgoogle2001/SE2017Aug21Tgoogle.html

When will the eclipse start in other places? If you would like to figure out when the eclipse will start somewhere else, go to this webpage.  You can use the map to zoom in on the location you are interested in.  If you click on a place, a window will pop up with details about when the eclipse will be visible.  The time will be given in Universal Time.  To convert that time to local time, you can use this website. image credit: eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogle/SEgoogle2001/SE2017Aug21Tgoogle.html

What will the eclipse look like? This shows what an eclipse looks like as it transitions from phase to phase. image credit: http://www.mreclipse.com/SEphoto/TSE1999video1w.gif

Why is it dangerous to look directly at the Sun? The lenses of the eye can focus sunlight onto the retina, which can damage your retina and cause blindness.  This webpage has a video that demonstrates what could happen.

How can I observe the eclipse without damaging my eyes? The only way to look directly at a partially- eclipsed (or uneclipsed) Sun is by using solar filters.  Richland One will be providing full-time employees and students with a pair of solar eclipse glasses, which contain solar filters.  These solar eclipse glasses can be used to view the solar eclipse.  Make sure you are wearing the solar eclipse glasses before looking at the Sun; make sure you look away from the Sun before removing the solar eclipse glasses.

How can I observe the eclipse without damaging my eyes? DARK SUNGLASSES WILL NOT PROTECT YOUR EYES.   DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN WEARING DARK SUNGLASSES. Cameras, telescopes, and binoculars will NOT protect your eyes if they do not have a solar filter.

When should I wear solar eclipse glasses? You should wear solar eclipse glasses during the partial eclipse (before totality and after totality).  During totality, it is safe to look at the eclipse without wearing solar eclipse glasses.   image credit:   https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety 

What will I see during the solar eclipse? During the second contact phase, you may be able to see the Diamond Ring and Baily’s Beads.  WEAR SOLAR ECLIPSE GLASSES DURING THE SECOND CONTACT PHASE. image credit:  https://c.tadst.com/gfx/750x500/total-solar-eclipse-diamondring-beads.jpg?1 

What will I see during the solar eclipse? During totality, the Sun’s corona is visible. The corona is the Sun’s outer atmosphere. You do NOT have to wear solar eclipse glasses during totality, but you MUST PUT THE SOLAR ECLIPSE GLASSES BACK ON BEFORE TOTALITY ENDS. image credit:  https://stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov/img/total_lg.gif

What will I see during the solar eclipse? WEAR SOLAR ECLIPSE GLASSES DURING THE THIRD AND FOURTH CONTACT PHASES.  During the third phase, you may be able to see the Diamond Ring and Baily’s Beads again.  image credit:  https://c.tadst.com/gfx/750x500/total-solar-eclipse-diamondring-beads.jpg?1 

Where can I find out more information on how to view the solar eclipse safely? This eclipse safety website has been endorsed by the American Astronomical Society, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the American Academy of Optometry, and the National Science Foundation.

Want to learn more about eclipses? Links to more resources available at the  Challenger Learning Center of Richland One website.