Upcoming Solar Eclipse: Why 99% Isn’t Enough for Eclipse Experts
On April 8, a solar eclipse will captivate the attention of many across the United States. Eclipse viewing parties are being organized in various locations, including the iconic Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. However, despite the excitement surrounding this celestial event, experts are cautioning that being just outside the path of totality, where the sun is completely obscured by the moon, will not provide the same awe-inspiring experience.
Jonathan Huhn, spokesperson for the Alamo Trust, is hopeful that thousands of people will gather at the Alamo’s plaza to witness the eclipse. However, he acknowledges that they will only be able to witness around 99.9% obscuration of the sun. While this may seem close enough, eclipse experts vehemently disagree.
Michelle Nichols, director of public observing programs at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, emphasizes that a 99% partial eclipse does not compare to the full experience of a total eclipse. She urges people to drive those extra miles to get into the path of totality, as it offers a radical and dramatic difference. Fred Espenak, a retired NASA astrophysicist who has witnessed 30 total solar eclipses, agrees wholeheartedly, stating that it’s either 100% or nothing.
During a total eclipse, the sky darkens suddenly, the temperature drops, stars become visible, and beautiful colors appear around the horizon. The once-familiar sun transforms into a black void surrounded by a glowing corona. Espenak describes the experience as supernatural and beyond the scope of normal existence.
In contrast, a partial solar eclipse lacks this magical quality. Rick Fienberg, project manager for the American Astronomical Society’s solar eclipse task force, explains that even at 99%, it does not get significantly darker than on an overcast day. The sun’s brightness is so overwhelming that a tiny exposed sliver can still light up the sky. Only during the brief total eclipse phase is it safe to look directly at the sun without protective glasses.
Angela Speck, an astronomer at the University of Texas at San Antonio, highlights the vast difference in brightness between the sun and the moon. Even with 99.9% obscuration, there will still be a thousand times more light than a full moon, making it relatively bright.
While the path of totality in 2017 mostly covered rural areas, this year’s eclipse will pass through more urban areas, bringing the opportunity for millions of people to witness it. However, being just outside the path means missing out on the full experience. Fienberg explains that being a few hundred yards away from the path will result in a deep partial eclipse, but it won’t be as dark or reveal the solar corona.
Popular places located outside the path of totality, such as the San Antonio Zoo and Cincinnati Observatory, have had to make decisions about their eclipse events. The San Antonio Zoo will focus on pre-eclipse activities the day before, while the Cincinnati Observatory, despite being close to totality, will hold an event for those unable to travel.
Shauna Edson, an astronomy educator at the National Air and Space Museum, acknowledges that while the buzz is usually focused on totality, a partial eclipse is still an interesting celestial event. The museum will hold an eclipse celebration on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., where an 89% partial eclipse will be visible. Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy crescent-shaped shadows and explore different methods of viewing the partial eclipse.
After April 8, the contiguous United States will not witness another total solar eclipse for 20 years. The next one in 2044 will only be visible from less-populated states like North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana. So, for those eager to experience the full wonder of a total solar eclipse, driving those extra miles into the path of totality is well worth it.
