August 21, 2017 was a day unlike any other. For the first time in 38 years, a total solar eclipse was visible from the United States and, for the first time in nearly a century, the eclipse path of totality crossed the U.S. from Pacific Coast to Atlantic Coast. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon blocks the sun, causing it to go dark for a few minutes during the day- the temperature drops, stars come out, birds and bugs bed down for the night, and the sun’s corona (outer atmosphere) bursts forth in magnificent splendor! But, you have to be in the narrow band called ‘The Path of Totality’ to see all these effects.
Jeremy Veldman Speaks at Olive Branch Public Library before the August 21, 2017 Solar Eclipse
I had seen a partial solar eclipse 33 years earlier on the playground at school when I was 10 years old, and the sight of the moon’s dark disk taking a “bite” out of the sun deeply moved me. I knew I had to see a total solar eclipse, but I’d have to wait until the distant future to see it- August 21, 2017. Time flies faster than we think.
In preparation for the event, I had the opportunity to do several presentations around the city of Memphis to inform, educate, and encourage people to view this once-in-a-lifetime event. Memphis would see a partial eclipse, but there’s nothing like being in the path of totality to see a Total Solar Eclipse.
Fred Espenak (a.k.a. “Mr. Eclipse”), retired NASA astrophysicist and witness to over 27 solar eclipses, describes the difference between a partial and total solar eclipse (on a scale of 1-to-10) as being a 3 (partial) vs. a 10 million (total). So, even though Memphis would see a 94% partial eclipse, it would be nothing compared to what people in Nashville or Paducah would see as a 100% Total Eclipse. My goal was to inform people of this fact and URGE them to make the small effort to travel in the Path of Totality that day.
My presentation covered the basics solar eclipses, the special alignment of the moon, sun, and earth to get the rare occurrence of totality, where the path of totality was for the August 21 eclipse, and how infrequently they occur. I was able to use compelling video illustrations from NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio, courtesy of Ernie Wright. And I showed a video clips of the experience of totality from the 2016 Total Solar Eclipse near Indonesia, shot by Fred Espenak (http://www.MrEclipse.com). Keep in mind, I had never experienced a total solar eclipse myself, yet I was sharing the experience with my audience. I felt very strongly at the time that it would be a truly life-transforming experience for me, and those who would witness it, based on the presentations I saw from those who had experienced a total solar eclipse themselves.
I gave talks throughout the month of August, 2017- to the Shelby County Public Library, Southaven Public Library, Olive Branch Public Library, the Memphis Astronomical Society (MAS), Collierville Public Library, and several elementary schools. It was particularly exciting to share this presentation with kids as they would have the unprecedented opportunity to see 2 total solar eclipses in 6 years (another one is coming April 8, 2024) before finishing high school, whereas I had to wait from just shy of 5 years old, until I was 44 to see my first one! I vividly remember showing the Indonesia clip of totality to a group of 5 th graders, and hearing their whispers, chatter, and talk amongst themselves saying: “I wanna see that!” I sincerely hope many of them had the opportunity to experience what I did on August 21, 2017.
Overall, it was a fun presentation to work on and extremely satisfying to share with my community. I hope someone who saw my talk made the inconvenient decision to skip work, or pull their child out of school for a day, to travel to the Path of Totality and witness this event. Unfortunately, many people chose not to do this, despite being so close to totality (the best weather conditions around the country were in western Kentucky and Nashville- only a couple hour’s drive from Memphis). And, sadly, many people along the eclipse totality path experienced cloudy weather, which hindered the experience.
But, the good news is we have another total eclipse coming on April 8, 2024, and that one promises to be even better! So, mark your calendars and start making plans NOW to venture into the PATH OF TOTALITY for The Great American Eclipse- Part II!
You can see videos of my eclipse presentation, as well as my experience during totality on August 21, 2017, on my You Tube Channel- http://www.YouTube.com/Jrveldman
