In 23 days, on the afternoon of April 8, Earth’s moon will totally eclipse (hide) the sun for a short time along a narrow path from Mexico to Canada. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the sun. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk. See Path of Totality map, below. Here in the Berkshires, there will be a deep partial eclipse, 94.83 magnitude, as approximated in the photograph, above, captured on a clear day. Even if cloudy, skies will darken at the time of both total and partial eclipses.
This edition of “Eyes to the Sky” introduces the highly anticipated partial solar eclipse, as well as an opportunity to consider traveling to see totality within about 200 miles west or northwest of Great Barrington. There is also time to procure solar eclipse glasses and/or devise other safety measures absolutely necessary to protect our eyes for experiencing either the partial or total eclipse. Look for another “Eyes to the Sky” on April 6.
The detail of the Path of Totality map shows destinations within approximately 200 miles of Great Barrington. The dark oval in the image directly above represents the moon’s umbra shadow. The umbra is the completely dark central portion of the shadow cast by the moon during an eclipse. At the top of the illustration, see the clock with the duration of total eclipse at the location of the center of the shadow. Everyone within the dark oval sees totality. Find Pittsfield lower right. Again, a partial eclipse will be experienced at our location. On the full Path of Totality map above, the dark oval closely follows the moon’s umbra shadow as it crosses North America during the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse.
Not to detract from anticipating the natural wonder to be experienced here at home, rather, to understand why millions of people are traveling to see totality, hear these words of author Annie Dillard.
A partial eclipse is very interesting. It bears almost no relation to a total eclipse. Seeing a partial eclipse bears the same relation to seeing a total eclipse as kissing a man does to marrying him, or as flying in an airplane does to falling out of an airplane. Although the one experience precedes the other, it in no way prepares you for it.
— Annie Dillard, “The Abundance”
If you have a mind to travel, there might still be availability in Oswego, N.Y.
Wherever we are, the critical feature will be the weather.
Distinguished amateur astronomer Rick Costello and I decided that there will be clear skies in the Berkshires. Rick, along with four telescopes with shielded optics, will be at Mason Library in Great Barrington on Monday, April 8, from 2 to 4 p.m. The library will provide a limited number of eclipse glasses.
Rather obscure addendum: On March 25, there will be a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse.
