Don’t Miss It: Partial Solar Eclipse to Cover 80% of the Chattahoochee Valley
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) - Millions of people will spend a part of their day outside observing a monumental event this afternoon.
We are less than 24 hours away from the highly anticipated event in which one could say only happens ‘once in a blue moon’ - the solar eclipse. Here in the Chattahoochee Valley, we expect the moon to cover up to 80-percent of the sun - making for a partial eclipse. If you miss it, your next opportunity in the Valley won’t be until 2045.
Piece of advice from those across the region? Don’t miss it.
“How excited are you? Very because it’s my first time! I’ve never seen it before and, like it doesn’t come a lot,” said Leland Gargiulo of Columbus.
“It’s an opportunity of a lifetime and memories you can share, and that’s part of your legacy in life,” said Wilhelmina Harrell of Columbus. “If you have not had the experience, I suggest that you get your glasses and make sure you watch it.”
April 8th marks the day in which the moon will make its way between the Earth and Sun, casting its 300-mile-wide shadow over parts of the Earth and blocking out much of the sun’s light, causing outer edges of the sun to change colors.
“Once in a while, you’ll get these special alignments where the moon is at new moon phase but it’s also right at that point where it’s lined up with the sun at the same time – and that’s when you have the potential for a solar eclipse to happen,” said Dr. Shawn Cruzen, Executive Director of Columbus State Coca-Cola Space Science Center.
With special telescopes and research instruments provided by Dr. Shawn Cruzen and his team at the Coca-Cola Space Science Center, observers will not only be able to experience the moon passing in front of the sun, but may even see solar storms, sunspots, or flares occurring on the sun’s surface, making for an event of endless possibilities.
(Allie Ann McCord / WTVM Meteorologist)
“It’s just an astronomical phenomenon that you just want to see; it’s highly anticipated,” said Allie Ann McCord, WTVM Meteorologist. “A lot of things also happen at the same time, you see the little crescent moon on the shadows of the sidewalks when this happens. This could be a once in a lifetime opportunity for many people.”
To view the eclipse, it is necessary that you not only have the proper eyewear, but glasses that have an ISO label on them, indicating that they have been approved by the International Safety Organization. With just this one requirement, you are guaranteed a unique viewing experience, as the moon gradually orbits the Earth.
“It’s really kind of a pivotal point where you can light the spark of imagination and curiosity in your children and in your family, to where they get more interested in just paying attention to all the wonderful things that they can see and participate in the world around them,” said Dr. Shawn Cruzen, Executive Director of Columbus State Coca-Cola Space Science Center.
The eclipse start time in Columbus and similarly across the Valley will be around 1:43 p.m. EST. The maximum eclipse will take place at 3:02 p.m. and it’ll conclude around 4:18 p.m.
Carve out some time in your day, get your glasses, grab a friend and witness a special event!
More information like what to expect, myth busters and where to buy glasses can be found HERE.
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