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Solar Eclipse Countdown Day 5: Getting the Most Out of Your Eclipse Experience

 Today’s topic is: Getting the most out of your eclipse experience


While most of the lower 48 states will see a partial eclipse, total solar eclipses are rare. The last time that Austin experienced a total solar eclipse was May 26th, 1397. The next one will be February 25th, 2343. So, this will be the only total eclipse that most of us will witness (there’s always eclipse tourism, though). 



If at all possible, you really need to try to look at the sky during the eclipse. Even with the clouds, you’ll be able to see some effects (I’ll specifically list those later). Here’s some of the things that you might be able to observe:

  • Look at the ground as totality approaches:

    • The shadows of leaves under a tree will make the shape of the eclipse

  • Alternating dark/light shadow bands

  • The shadow line moving quickly across the landscape right before totality.

  • Look at the Sun:

    • First Contact: The Moon starts to cover the Sun (12:17)

  • Second Contact: The Moon completely covers the Sun (1:35). It’s now safe to remove your glasses

    • Baily’s Beads

  • Corona

  • Prominences

  • Third Contact: Sun starts to peak out again. Glasses back on!

    • Diamond ring

  • Look around you during totality:

    • 360 sunset

  • Stars and Planets

    • Venus - Lower right of Sun

    • Jupiter - Upper left of Sun

  • Purkinje Effect - if you are wearing red or green. If not, see if you can find a piece of construction paper. Other colors will be strange, too.

  • The temperature will drop

  • Animals may start their nighttime routine. Listen for crickets, birds, etc.


Don’t waste totality on taking pictures!

I recommend that you enjoy the short period of totality without fiddling with your camera. Odds are, the picture won’t come out great (even if there is a break in the clouds). It has something to do with camera settings like zoom and aperture. Let the experts get the good pictures (you’ll see them online for weeks to come). Enjoy the wonder of sights around you! During totality, I also recommend that you pause your eclipse playlist to better appreciate the experience.


What will we see if the sky is completely overcast?

There’s a very good chance that we won’t see the sun today. We’ll still get the following:

  • Darkness

  • Purkinje Effect

  • Possible animal nighttime routine

  • Temperature drop


Countdown:

  • Today!

  • Eclipse Start: 12:17 

  • Totality Start: 1:35

  • Totality End: 1:39

  • Eclipse End: 2:58

  • These are estimated times here at school. Check your exact times for your location here.

  • Forecast: Almost certainly cloudy. Let’s hope and pray for a break in the clouds around 1:30. The storms should hold off (when they do arrive, some forecasts are calling for strong storms with hail, so drive carefully as you head home).

Mrs. Goertz sent me this webcomic. It sums up how I feel.


Bonus: Eclipse Memes (I don’t make memes, I just share them)

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