Xcel Energy Says its Prepared for Monday’s Solar Eclipse

Lest you wonder what all the fuss is about, consider these facts: It is the first total solar eclipse to hit the contiguous United States since 1979; with complete darkness taking place in 14 states, from OR to SC, it is the first total eclipse to sweep across the country since 1918; and the next total eclipse in the USA, in 2024, will be visible from Texas to Maine.

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Outside of the United States, the next eclipse will occur in 2019 and will be viewable from the South Pacific, Chile, and Argentina.

– Why is this a big deal? The United States is one day away from an epic total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017. That one will last about four minutes.

The solar eclipse is only days away, and schools across Acadiana are getting ready.

If you miss Monday’s eclipse, you have about seven years to plan for the next one. This happens because the moon’s orbit of the earth is elliptical – meaning it is sometimes closer or further from Earth.

– What is an eclipse?

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and the Earth.

There are solar eclipse glasses available, similar to a welder’s mask, that provide a special filter that blocks out much of the sun’s light.

The totality – meaning complete darkness – only reaches some cities because the geometry of the Earth and moon and how the moon’s shadow moves at a constant rate. The sky becomes very dark, as if it were night.

The total eclipse is just days away, and the rush is on to obtain viewing glasses.

– When will it happen? The rest of continental USA has a chance to view a partial eclipse.

As for the next eclipse to travel over North America, we will have to wait until 2024!

The totality will reach OR at 10:16 a.m. PST, and will end in SC at 2:49 p.m. EST, which is about an hour and a half time frame of crossing the country. Fourteen states – from OR to SC – lie in the “totality zone”, a 70-mile-wide, 3,000-mile-long arc where the moon will appear to completely blot the sun.

As NASA explains, there are two other types of solar eclipses. In the second phase of the eclipse, experts say that the sunlight streaming through the Moon’s valleys will create a bright flash of light, giving the appearance of a diamond ring.

Don’t take pictures while driving. Where and when can I see this “Great American Eclipse?”.

If you’re within the path of the totality, you’ll have a limited window to view the total blackout.

– What can we learn?

There are many ways to watch a solar eclipse.

– How should I watch it? You could severely damage your eyes if you look at the sun without proper viewing protection. This is done by putting a small hole in a box or piece of paper, holding it to the sun, holding the paper at arm’s length and watching the projection on the ground.

Those who are planning to go to OR to see the total eclipse should plan ahead.

This post was syndicated from The Independent Uganda:. Because you might as well get some good jokes in.

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