Chasing Shadows: The Solar Eclipse of April 2024

On Monday, April 8, 2024, just after 12:30 PM CT, the skies of Tennessee will be graced with the spectacle of a partial solar eclipse. This celestial event, where the Moon glides between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow on our planet, is a sight to behold. Although we won't be directly in the path of totality, we'll still witness a near-total eclipse. These awe-inspiring occurrences not only offer a breathtaking view but also serve as fantastic educational opportunities.

However, it's crucial to remember that observing a solar eclipse can pose a risk to your eyesight. As educators and students gear up for this astronomical event, we want to share some safety measures, resources, and intriguing facts to ensure you make the most of this experience.

First and foremost, eye protection is a must when viewing a solar eclipse. The Sun's potent rays can cause severe damage to the retina, often without immediate symptoms. Complimentary solar glasses are available through various sources listed below. Additionally, constructing homemade viewing devices can be a fun, creative activity, and an excellent opportunity to engage students in the engineering design process.

Next, we've assembled a selection of resources to aid your lesson planning. These include designs for viewing devices, countdowns tailored to your zip code, and a host of educational videos. Among these videos are some by Billy Hix, who operated a mobile planetarium that visited many Tennessee schools. We've also included links to free lesson plans for grades K-12.

Lastly, we've compiled some fascinating facts about solar eclipses to share with your students:

1. Solar eclipses only occur during a new moon.
2. The totality phase can last up to seven minutes.
3. The earliest documented total solar eclipse dates back to 1223 BCE.
4. A total solar eclipse comprises four stages.
5. There are four distinct types of solar eclipses.

We're eager to hear about your solar eclipse experiences. Please share your photos and stories with us by emailing tsin@battelle.org or tagging us on social media.

Resources

Eclipse 2024 site
My NASA Data site

NASA site
National Solar Observatory site

PBS site

Scholastic site

TN State Parks site


Billy Hix Videos:

Video 1 - What to Expect & Direct Solar Viewing
Video 2 - Direct Viewing with Optical Equipment (DIY Viewer)

Video 3 - Indirect Viewing Tips