Monday, August 21, 2017, is a once-in-a-lifetime day! Only once in the last 100 years, visible across the United States, has there occurred a total solar eclipse–with the moon blocking out the sun and dramatically darkening the day. Such an event terrified ancient peoples and some animals, before science could intervene and inform.
If the sun breaks through cloud cover, the eclipse will begin at 11:48 a.m., peak with full coverage at 1:14 p.m., and end at 2:38 p.m. We will still notice the sky appearing darker than normal if clouds do not dissipate.
This experience is not “the end of days,” but it is critical that people protect their eyes, with specially designed filtering glasses. Morrison Schools have provided them to all students and planned solar eclipse instruction.
There are no glasses available locally, according to Odell Public Library staff.
Be safe and enjoy whatever level of eclipsing you see.