Total Solar Eclipse ~ And more. Episode 512 

Every day is the best day, or it can be if you have the mindset that you are looking for miracles in your life. This year, a total solar eclipse is just one of the exciting things happening in your world. How can we keep the momentum going? In this podcast, Felice shares the idea of finding the gems in your life and celebrating them with your family.

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So, is this going to be your best year ever? If you said, “Yes!” that is great, but if you said, “No.” then Why not? Take a moment to consider your answer.

I think we can make this the best year. Even if you’re listening to this in January in March, or maybe even in December, you can begin each day anew. The first thing is our mindset. And, it is catching. If we are enthusiastic, our kids will be enthusiastic. (Tell 1/2 sheet of paper and a pencil – pop quiz).

So, our attitude is important, but so is our ability to find those gems in our lives that are often overlooked. It doesn’t take money, but it does take research. This year, there are some awe-inspiring events. However, we will focus on one that is sure to catch the headlines, and that is the Solar Eclipse.

What is a Solar Eclipse:

A total solar eclipse is something that happens very rarely, and when it does happen, it is something many people will be excited about seeing, some traveling to the locations where they can get the best view. A total solar eclipse is when the moon passes over the sun in such a way and angle that it blocks the sunlight from our view.  First, let me warn as as you already know (and please let your children know) that it is always dangerous to look at the sun. Never look at the sun!

The solar eclipse will not happen again for another twenty years, so it’s really exciting to be aware of this one. The solar eclipse or the total solar eclipse is going to happen on April 8, 2024, and the next one won’t happen until August 23, 2044.

The shielding of the sun by the moon moving, what looks like over the top, will show the outer part of the sun, which is called the corona.

1. The moon will cover the sun.
   
2. It will turn the sky into night in certain areas of the earth; there is a path from Mexico to northeast Canada. The shadow (or area of darkness) across America is about 124 miles wide. Again, this happens on April 8, 2024
   
3. You must wear protective eyewear to view the eclipse, and please buy it from a reputable source. Your eyes are important.
   
4. If you wear eye protection as the eclipse is happening, it won’t work when there is a total eclipse. What does this mean? Well, it will be dark, so if you have protective eyewear to keep out the harmful rays of the sun, it will be too dark to see the eclipse when it is totally over the sun.
   
5. The moon over the sun will darken the sky, so it looks like it is night – well, early evening.
   
6. You will be able to see the Sun’s corona (the outer part of the sun.) This is the only time (total solar eclipse) that you can see the corona.
   
7. If you live in the direct path of the eclipse, it will last for around four minutes. *this is two times as long as the last total eclipse in 2017 over North America.
   

That is what I wanted to know, and I learned that during an annular eclipse, it is only safe to view it with protective glasses because you can still see a portion of the sun, and looking at the sun, as we’ve already established, is dangerous. So, you can see a ring of the sun around the moon. However, a total eclipse means that the moon completely covers the sun (totally) and hides the sun from view so just the corona or outer edges show.

You will want to:

1. Check out a map to see where the track of the total eclipse will pass. (Here is the link to download a copy of the map from the NASA website).
   
2. See if you are anywhere near the path; if so plan to watch it live.
   
3. Get a pair of safety glasses (from a reputable source) to watch the eclipse.
   
4. If you are nowhere near the eclipse, watch it streaming live on the NASA website – we did this some time ago with a solar eclipse here.
   

It is fun to study things that are happening in our world.

Resources for Solar Eclipse:

Eclipses in 2023-2024

Interactive Map for the eclipse of 2024 here.

This is a wonderful opportunity to study the stars and add it to your homeschool curriculum. And, as Psalm 19: summarizes so beautifully – “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Amen! enjoy.

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