By James W. Merritt, Jr.
On April 8th this year, we are all privileged to witness one of the greatest celestial events in Indiana history – the total eclipse of the Sun. Here are some fascinating facts about the upcoming event:
The Sun is 400 times larger and 400 times further away than the moon and because of this equal size to distance ratio, the sun and moon are the same apparent diameter in the sky. This is why the moon can completely cover the sun causing a total solar eclipse.
From a local perspective, solar eclipses are extremely rare, and to have one happen in your town – at your house– is not a once in a lifetime event, it’s a once in 10 lifetimes event. The last time a total solar eclipse occurred over central Indiana was the year 1205 when Genghis Khan ruled most of the known world. The next time this will occur over central Indiana is the year 2153. This is the only chance we will have in our lifetime to experience a total solar eclipse in central Indiana.
The best way to view the eclipse is with eclipse glasses. Do not use regular sunglasses and never view the sun through binoculars, telescopes, or the viewfinder on your camera as permanent eye damage can occur.
The partial eclipse starts at 1:50 in the afternoon when the leading edge of the moon just touches the lower edge of the sun – that’s the beginning of the eclipse cycle. The moon then slowly proceeds across the face of the sun until it totally covers the sun at 3:06 PM and for three minutes and 46 seconds here in Westfield Indiana we will experience what’s called Totality. As the Moon slowly moves away from the sun, the two will separate at 4:23 PM.
Some of the Strange Things You Will Experience During a Total Eclipse
The 120-mile-wide blue-black shadow of the moon will rush upon you from the West at nearly 2000 mph and then suddenly envelope you in the darkness.
Shimmering dark lines will cover the ground as much as 5 minutes before the total eclipse. These strange wavering lines of light and shade will dance across the landscape in front of you. These “shadow bands” as they are called are very curious and beautiful effect like being at the bottom of a swimming pool.
During totality animals usually fall silent, birds will quit flying and insects will begin chirping as though it’s nighttime.
Temperatures can drop nearly 10° becoming curiously cold; dew frequently forms. Along with this temperature drop there could be a change in wind direction.
The shadows made by the trees and other objects cause a “pinhole effect” and you’ll see thousands of miniature eclipses everywhere on the ground around you.
The colors of the sunrise will ring the horizon 360° around you as you stand in the center of the shadow of the Moon.
As you view the Total Eclipse, flames of nuclear fire visibly erupt like geysers from the sun’s edge.
The corona around the sun is mesmerizing in its delicate beauty. This million-degree plasma is electrically charged and twisted by the intense magnetic fields of the Sun into a complex array of streamers plumes brushes and loops.
As the Earth around you is bathed by the strange light of the sun’s corona, the grass and the trees turn a silvery gray and the colors of your clothes and everything around you will change.
And with all of this, up in the sky it looks like a jet-black hole in the universe surrounded by a glowing ring of purple fire.
It will be easy for you to understand at that time why the ancients ran for their lives as if it were the end of the world.
So, what is the chance of clouds on Monday, April 8? Who knows. Just enjoy this extraordinary once-in-ten-lifetimes celestial event with your family, a small group of friends or large group of people and let the weather take its course.
About Grand Universe
Grand Universe is a visionary hub at the forefront of science and space exploration, poised to deliver an extraordinary journey for visitors of all ages. Nestled adjacent to Grand Park in Westfield, Indiana, Grand Universe Center for Science and Space Exploration spans 78 acres, beckoning all those who seek the wonders of the cosmos.
Purdue University CATALYST leads the development of all K-12 STEM programming for Grand Universe. Faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students across campus will bring Purdue University’s world-class education and community engagement to Grand Universe.
Scheduled to begin construction in the summer of 2024 and open in the summer of 2026, Grand Universe will be one of the largest space science centers in the US.
