Once-in-a-lifetime events come, well, once-in-a-lifetime. According to astronomy aficionados and galaxy glitterati, the much-publicized solar eclipse on April 8 may be one of those.
For the uninitiated, a solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth. The moon blots out a portion (i.e., partial eclipse) or all (i.e., total eclipse) of the sun’s rays, casting a large shadow on the Earth’s surface.
Solar eclipses aren’t unusual; they happen quite frequently. Indeed, we had one in Northern Virginia just last October. Unfortunately, overcast skies on that fall day limited viewing opportunities.
But being in the “path of totality,” or near the path of totality, while in your hometown is uncommon, pushing this April’s eclipse in this area into the possibly “once-in-a-lifetime” event category.
An eclipse can easily pass across the Earth’s surface (at some 1,500 mph) far out over the ocean or uninhabited territory, where it would be difficult, if not impossible, for us mere mortals to observe.
Unfortunately, Northern Virginia won’t be in the eclipse’s direct path: Many “eclipse chasers” will travel some distance to be in the approximately 100-mile wide path of totality as the eclipse moves from Mexico to Maine across North America.
But, fortunately, we’ll be…READ MORE
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