By Janice Green and Karen Whiting

Excitement is buzzing all across North America with the news of the upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. The solar eclipse, which is actually the shadow of the moon, will cross the nation in a band approximately 115 miles wide from Mexico through central Texas to northern Maine and on into Canada. People are reserving hotel rooms in cities along the path and planning parties all along the way.

We often get a chance to see a partial eclipse of the sun or of the moon, but rarely get to experience a total solar eclipse. Janice was fortunate to get to observe the one that passed across her state of South Carolina in 2017, and she truly appreciates the excitement. It is worth the effort to travel several miles to enjoy it at 100% eclipse if it is possible for you. There are so many special effects that seem magical that can only be seen inside that zone.

Karen and her friends stood under a tree so the eclipsed sunlight filtered through making crescent images on their arms, faces, and clothes.

If you are one of the fortunate people who live along the total eclipse path you might want to gather with friends for an eclipse party. Or even better, invite friends or relatives who are outside the path to join you. It might be a great excuse for a family reunion.

Eyes Safety and Other things to consider:

Eclipses aren’t all fun and games. There are dangers involved in trying to watch a solar eclipse. Trying to look at the sun without the right kind of sunglasses can cause permanent blindness. This risk is especially important with children whose curiosity might get the best of them as they try to take peeks at the sun throughout the day. Read the proper way to watch from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. It might be wise to keep curious children indoors or inside a tent to prevent them from taking unprotected peeks.

Alternative ways to watch the eclipse includes making and using a pinhole box or use a colander with holes in it to project a view of the eclipse. A fancy pinhole setup using a colander for patterned multiple pinholes can be seen in these photos. Janice’s sister took these pictures in 2017. The first picture was before it was the darkest, and the second after it began to get light again.

Learn in advance what to look for so you don’t miss anything. Know when it is safe to look at the eclipse with the naked eye (very short time). Not everything worth seeing it is up in the sky. There are exceptional patterns to see on the ground under a leafy tree. Plan to watch the eclipse where you have one or more trees nearby so you don’t miss this special treat.

The Bible mentions King Herod around the time of the birth of Jesus! (Read Luke 1:5 and Matthew 2:1). Josephus, a historian, mentions an eclipse at the time Herod died. Most references point to a partial lunar eclipse in 4 B.C making the birth before the first century AD. But there was another lunar eclipse in 1 B.C. at the turn of the era from BC to AD. This is more likely the correct lunar eclipse. Read more about this in the Bible archeology website. This one took place in December.

Look up more about eclipses at the NASA sites. a second link will give you more detailed information about the path of the eclipse and times to expect it.

Below is an excellent video about preparations to take before the eclipse so you will get the maximum benefit:

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From Janice and Karen

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