You can’t escape hearing about the upcoming solar eclipse happening on Monday, August 21 and you are probably at least mildly excited to see what all the commotion is about. Here is everything you need to know.
What the hell is it?
The moon is about to pass between the sun and Earth, blocking all or part (depending where you are) of the sun’s rays for several hours. This is the 3 billionth time a solar eclipse has occurred here on planet earth, but this one is a big deal since it’s the first time in 99 years one will cut through the entire continental United States. It is also giving towns in the eclipse’s path an excuse to jack up room rates.
When is it happening?
The eclipse will take place in the Greater Palm Springs area between a little after 9 am until a few minutes before noon on Monday, August 21. The peak of the eclipse is happening at about 10:25 am.
Where can you see it?
Outside. Durr.
How do you look at it?
You remember how when you were a kid everyone said not to look at the sun because you will burn your eyes out. Yeah, that’s still true.
So, you have a few of options:
- You can go to a viewing party that has special lenses and telescopes (more info below).
- You can buy some of these special eclipse glasses. (Update: you are not going to find these anywhere)
- You can make a pinhole projector:
What will it look like?
While some parts of the country will get a rad full eclipse, the Coachella Valley will see about 65 % of the sun obstructed by the moon which should still be pretty cool and result in things looking like this:
Palm Springs Solar Eclipse!
62% of the Sun will be obscured by the Moon at the peak of the Eclipse over the Coachella Valley on 8/21.@KESQ pic.twitter.com/xiywBP9sw1— Jerry Steffen™ KESQ (@JerrySteffen) August 14, 2017
Will it be cloudy that day?
It doesn’t look like it will be cloudy in the Coachella Valley – but it’s still a few days out so and guessing weather is not an exact science.
US Eclipse Visibility Forecast!
Just 6-days to the Solar Eclipse! Here's the cloud outlook for August 21.
(clouds depicted in white)@KESQ pic.twitter.com/iTh7vSjqLy— Jerry Steffen™ KESQ (@JerrySteffen) August 15, 2017
Will it change the temperature?
The Desert Sun notes that it could cool things off up to 5 degrees during the eclipse – so no, you don’t have to bring a sweater with you that day.
Will it affect my dog or cat?
Probably not and they will most likely nap through it like they do everything else.
Are there any special places to watch in the Coachella Valley?
Yes…
- The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is doing a cool event with tram cars running up the mountain starting at at 8 amd and the first 50 people up getting NASA-approved solar-viewing glasses. They will also have a telescope with a solar filter will be available.
- The Palm Springs Public Library has a limited supply of free eclipse viewing glasses they will be handing out starting at 9:30 am.
- If you are stuck at work, maybe your boss will let you go outside for a minute to check it out. Probably not though. I mean, those TPS reports are not going to write themselves.
That’s great for families, but are there any bars throwing cool eclipse events?
Not that we know of. Missed opportunity.
What’s going to happen afterwards?
Everything will go back to normal and your newsfeed will finally be free of wall-to-wall eclipse stories like this one.
