I admit to being a bit mopey to miss the total eclipse today, but it just wasn’t feasible — I’d have had to cancel classes, and I’ve had enough conference travel that I’ve used up my ‘teach remote’ options for the semester. Alas.
Also, I’m hearing reports that it’s taken some locals five hours to drive 130 miles to totality yesterday, which I would have hated, honestly, so I am trying to reconcile myself. Kavi’s taking the SAT tomorrow, big day, so having two long driving days right before probably wouldn’t have been the best idea for her.
Still a bit cranky, though! I’ve seen a partial before, when I was a kid, and I wasn’t particularly excited about seeing one again, but maybe I’ll try to hunt up a pair of eclipse glasses just in case I get motivated.
Maybe I’ll try harder to catch the next one…trip to Alaska in 2033? I’ll be 74 in 2045, which seems the most likely one. Guess I’d better try to stay in reasonable shape for another 22 years…
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Chicago’s eclipse starts 12:51 p.m., and I teach my second class at 1 — maybe we’ll start a little late today, so those with eclipse glasses can catch some of it?
Yes, let’s do that. Just sent this to my students:
“Class, we’re going to start late today, so you have the option of watching the partial eclipse, which starts at 12:51 Chicago time. Please plan to be in class by 1:15 — you should be able to catch maximum eclipse at 2:07 if you’re not in another class then. In addition to discussing the reading for today, we’ll spend a little time discussing two famous eclipse novels, H. Rider Haggard’s _King Solomon’s Mines_ and Mark Twain’s _A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court_.
Please DO NOT watch the eclipse without appropriate glasses, as you really will damage your eyes.”
(Is there somewhere local I can pick up eclipse glasses at this late date? I’d get a pair for myself, maybe some to distribute to my students.)
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“Those living in Alaska will catch a glimpse of a total solar eclipse on March 30, 2033, and a partial solar eclipse will shine over most of the US during that event.
A total solar eclipse won’t be visible again from the contiguous US until August 22, 2044, but totality will only occur over North Dakota and Montana, plus northern Canada.
However, the next total solar eclipse with a coast-to-coast path spanning the Lower 48 states will occur on August 12, 2045. The path of totality will arc over California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, with a partial eclipse visible across other states.” — CNN
