We were lucky in that the total solar eclipse of 2024 was set to run smack dab over DFW. That's right, a
🎵Total Eclipse {Of The Heart.}🎶
It's pretty much impossible to say that without singing it at least in your head, if not out loud.
Uncle John and Aunt Nancy made plans months out to come visit just to see it with us. Unfortunately, Nancy wasn't able to travel due to an injury, but John came solo. We enjoyed a nice family afternoon together the weekend before.
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| Jimmy, Susan, Vivia, Abe, Clay, John, Daisy, Zeke, Eli |
🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑🌒🌓🌔🌕
A total solar eclipse occurs somewhere on Earth every 18 months on average, but most often those are not viewable over populated areas. It is estimated that a total eclipse will occur at any given location only every 375 years on average.
It occurred around lunch time, so Abe was able to sneak away from work join us.
All of North Texas waited with bated breath as it came closer and closer to totality time. The sky was filled with clouds and we weren't sure if they were going to let up enough for us to see. At some points, this was the view of the sun:
But then there would be a little break and we could spot the sun. At least the part of the sun that was not yet covered by the moon, anyway.
Just as it was getting close to totality, the clouds let up, allowing us to view the entire thing. It got weirdly dark. Street lights came on. It was not pitch black; I think maybe the clouds actually reflected some of the light. The temperature suddenly dropped about 10 degrees.
It was incredible to experience. I even forgot to take very many pictures during the actual event because I was in awe. The sky appears much brighter than it actually was, and this was the best picture that I personally got:
This is what I actually saw:
I snagged these pics from friends. The sun's corona, or the outer atmosphere, is visible. Normally the sun is so bright that we can't see the corona.
That red spot at the bottom is what they call space weather activity, or solar flares. The solar weather, solar wind, the magnetosphere, and ionosphere effect communications and power grids
A total solar eclipse happens because the sun is about 400 times larger than the moon, but the moon is about 400 times closer to Earth, making them appear the exact same size.
After about 4 minutes of darkness, the moon kept moving and the sun began to peek out. Even just that tiny peek of sunshine was enough to make it bright again. Pretty amazing how powerful the sun is.
After a couple more minutes, the moon passed by at 1900 miles per hour, the sun was bright again, and the clouds came back.
I managed to get some leaf pics while there was a sliver of sun. You can tell it was shortly after totality because the shadow is just a tiny sliver. It's cool the way that works. The whole experience was pretty amazing to watch in person. Ten out of ten recommend.
[April 8]
