GRAMMY ON THE GO
Fun with the Sun
By Karen Shadrach
April 8 is a big day for Northeast Ohio, when a special once-in-a-lifetime celestial event will be occurring: a rare total eclipse of the sun.
The next total eclipse in the United States will not happen until August 23, 2044, but in Ohio, we’d have to wait another 375 years for the chance to see one in our backyard. So, grab this terrific opportunity to share this celestial event with your grandchildren.
Whether you can be with them on April 8 or not, you can still prepare for the eclipse together and talk about what will be taking place.
Sky High
Teach your grandchildren about a solar eclipse, which occurs when the moon passes between the orbit of the sun and the earth, blocking the sun from earthly view. What will be happening on April 8 in Ohio is a total solar eclipse, when the moon completely blocks the sun. You can make a model to help identify the position of where everything has to be before an eclipse will occur. Use a beach ball for the sun, a tennis ball for Earth and a golf ball for the moon. Take this replica a step further by setting up the balls in a dark room and using a flashlight to simulate an eclipse.
Discuss with the grandkids what to expect during the period of total eclipse which will last about 4 minutes in mid-afternoon at approximately 3:15. (Time is dependent on your viewing location). Be aware of environmental changes; as the day darkens into night, you may see stars, the air will feel cooler and animals think dusk has fallen early. You may also be able to see a 360-degree sunset. With the sun in totality, the outer atmosphere (corona) will be visible and we may see bright pink spots, the color of glowing hydrogen gas, which are gigantic loops of plasma called prominences that rise from the sun’s surface. To find more fun facts go to science.nasa.gov/resource/solar-eclipse.
Hopefully, the weather will cooperate and the skies will be clear, but if not, the eerie daytime darkness will still be very noticeable.
It’s very important to tell your grandchildren that regular sunglasses will not be sufficient to view these events and to not look directly at the sun. Many retail chains will be offering recommended brands; special eclipse celebration venues also will have glasses available.
Beware of counterfeit eclipse glasses. Make sure the “ISO” (International Organization for Standardization) icon is on the glasses as well as the reference #12312-2. There are filters for your camera or phone for imaging the solar event. A way to quickly check if your glasses will sufficiently protect you is to be sure that you are not able to see anything through the filter except a small bright-white LED bulb spot from your phone flashlight.
Prepare With This Pinhole Project
An easy and fun project to do with your grandchild to view the eclipse is to construct a homemade pinhole projector. Take a large cardboard box that will fit over your head. Tape a piece of white paper to the inside on one end. Cut an approximately ½-inch hole in the opposite side and tape a piece of aluminum foil over it. Lastly, poke a pinhole through the foil. To view, hold the box over your head with the pinhole facing the sun. Looking at the white paper, a small image of the sun will appear. A longer box will give you a larger image.
Join the Parties
There are many events and watch parties planned in Northeast Ohio to participate in viewing this awesome phenomenon, and more will be added as the time gets closer. Many communities will be holding solar eclipse parties in nearby parks.
The Total Eclipse Festival 2024 at the Great Lakes Science Center is partnering with the Cleveland Orchestra and NASA’s Glenn Research Center to host a three-day (April 6-8) celestial celebration at North Coast Harbor.
Additional options to gather for a celebration include Crocker Park, Lake Metroparks Farm Park, Holden Arboretum, and unique celebrations such as Total Eclipse at the Point at Cedar Point, Dark in the Park party before the Guardian’s home opener, and even a Jet Express Eclipse Viewing Party along Lake Erie.
If all of the above sounds like too many crowds, excitement and traffic, opt instead to go to a secluded park with an open field (or your backyard), pack a picnic lunch and enjoy a calmer viewing. Just don’t miss it. Gather with your family and grandkids, grab your glasses and experience together awesome moments as the moon briefly obscures the sun at totality.
Photo by Karen Shadrach
