It’s Eclipse Time

On Monday, April 8, a total solar eclipse is going to be visible across a large swath of the United States. In fact NASA predicts that roughly 99% of the country will see some degree of coverage of the sun. The far northwest tip of Tennessee is in the path of totality, meaning a total coverage of the sun. Memphis will be at 97% coverage. In Newport we will see about 87.1% coverage of the sun.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be hosting a viewing event for the eclipse. Several viewing sites will be used as viewing areas. The closest to us will be the Newfound Gap parking lot south of Gatlinburg which sits on the Tennessee/North Carolina state line. Since viewing an eclipse with the naked eye is very dangerous, park staff will have eclipse glasses available. There will be one pair per family while supplies last. Park stores are selling those glasses for $1.50 a pair.

A total eclipse is the sun, the moon, and Earth in perfect alignment. The moon is directly between the sun and Earth, casting a shadow on the Earth. However, the sun’s corona is still visible as a halo around the moon, which is why you need the glasses. The eclipse should begin at 1:49 p.m. with maximum coverage at 3:08 p.m., and the event will conclude at 4:23 p.m.

NASA says the next time there will be a total solar eclipse that will be visible from coast to coast in the US will be on August 23, 2044.