Solar Eclipse April 8th, 2024
On April 8th, 2024, most of Clarksville spent the beginning of the afternoon outside to watch the solar eclipse. While we were not in the path of totality, it was still a very interesting and cool experience.
A solar eclipse is when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow that will block the Sun’s light. The Moon is in the New Moon phase during this event. While some schools closed or let out early for this event, CMCSS provided solar eclipse glasses for students, faculty, and staff, and allowed time for all to view and learn first hand about a solar eclipse.
The most important thing to remember when viewing a solar eclipse is to protect your eyes! According to NASA, “Viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.” You should use solar eclipse glasses or a safe handheld solar viewer when not viewing a total solar eclipse. This means that before and after 100% totality, protective eyewear should be used. Solar eclipse viewers are thousands of times darker than regular sunglasses and should be verified safe before use.
Most of Clarksville probably remembers the total solar eclipse that was visible here on August 21st, 2017. Those who viewed the 2017 solar eclipse can share how partial and total solar eclipses are very different experiences. While a partial solar eclipse does have less light in the sky, the total solar eclipse experienced seven years ago was an amazingly different eclipse.
The next solar eclipse that will be visible in Clarksville is reported to be a partial solar eclipse on January 26th, 2028!
