The Sun's Out, But Not Quite All Out: A Guide to Memphis's Most Dramatic Daylight Dimming!
Hey there, Memphis! Ever feel like the sun needs to take a chill pill? Well, guess what? On April 8th, 2024, our fiery friend is taking a partial vacation, courtesy of the moon! That's right, folks, we're having a solar eclipse, and it's going to be epic (in a safe, eye-squinting kind of way).
But First, Coffee. When Can I Witness This Celestial Shenanigan?
The big moment kicks off at around 12:30 PM Central Daylight Time (CDT). That's your cue to grab your certified eclipse glasses (looking at you, sunglasses that wouldn't protect a fly from a fashion faux pas) and find a clear view of the sky.
Here's the breakdown:
- The party starts: The eclipse begins in Memphis around 12:30 PM CDT.
- Main Event: Buckle up for maximum eclipse goodness at 1:57 PM CDT. This is when the moon will be blocking a whopping 98% of the sun.
- The Farewell: The entire eclipse, from start to finish, lasts a few hours. But the partial eclipse visible in Memphis will wrap up around 3:00 PM CDT.
Remember: Don't try to wing this with your regular shades. Staring directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, is a surefire way to get permanently unwelcome visitors in your eyeballs (hint: they're called floaters, and they're not here for a pool party).
So, What Will It Look Like?
Imagine someone took a giant bite out of a giant cookie (although, please, don't eat the sun). That's kind of the vibe. The sky will darken a bit, and the sun will take on a crescent shape. It'll be like someone put a celestial dimmer switch on. Pretty cool, right?
Pro-Tip: If you're feeling fancy, you can project the eclipse onto a piece of cardboard with a small hole in it. This creates a mini eclipse light show on the ground – way safer than staring straight up!
FAQ: Your Burning Eclipse Questions Answered (Briefly, Because You Have Stuff to Do)
How to prepare for the eclipse?
- Grab certified eclipse glasses!
- Find a clear view of the sky.
- Pack some snacks (because why not?).
How long will the eclipse last?
The entire eclipse will take a few hours, but the partial eclipse visible in Memphis will last roughly from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM CDT.
How can I watch the eclipse online?
Many organizations and media outlets will likely be live streaming the eclipse. Keep an eye on astronomy websites and news channels closer to the date.
How cold will it be during the eclipse?
The temperature won't change because of the eclipse. It'll still be Memphis weather, so plan accordingly.
How often do solar eclipses happen in Memphis?
Eclipses don't happen on a Memphis-time schedule, but they do occur periodically. This particular eclipse was a doozy, so it might be a while before we see another one this dramatic.
4296240712093709004ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qbvWrGWtnZOdfHN8kW1maW9frLWiwIytoKadXZiur3nYqKxmq5WaerS7y5qpZp2Tobaxv8RmoKeXYWd7qcDMpQ%3D%3D