If you happen to live in North America, you probably already know that there is a Solar Eclipse happening today. Most places are not in the path of a total solar eclipse but there are a decent number of states that have been put into the path of totality. If you're lucky enough to be in that path and have the proper protection, definitely go steal a peak for me.
The chances of you seeing a solar eclipse in the path of totality is not impossible, nor is it rare; a total solar eclipse occurs naturally some place around the Earth approximately every 18 months. Now the chances of not having to travel for the path of totality? That is a lot less likely. Due to the constant rotation of our axes, the total solar eclipse will only naturally fall in the same place approximately every 400 years. There will be plenty of years in between that though that you may see a partial eclipse.
For those who are not sure what a Solar Eclipse is, or what the difference between a Solar and a Lunar Eclipse is; a Solar Eclipse occurs when there is a full Moon and it manages to pass between the Earth and our Sun, a Lunar Eclipse on the other hand occurs when there is a full moon and the Earth comes between the Moon and the Sun. Because of this, Solar Eclipses will only happen during the daytime hours of the region of totality, and a Lunar Eclipse will only occur during the nighttime hours or the region of totality.
Because the Sun is obscured by the moon during a Solar Eclipse, you can see a drastic change in the natural lighting as well as a drop in the temperature during the point of totality. If you were to look up at the sky, which I advise against, you would see a ring of fire or a halo affect around the deep black of the moon.
A Lunar Eclipse is far easier on the eyes than a Solar Eclipse is. Even during normal circumstances, the Sun is blinding and can negatively impact your vision permanently. During the Solar Eclipse, the intensity can increase due to the areas of darkness and how you perceive light. Because of this, even viewing an Eclipse at totality is advised against without the proper eye-protection. This goes for your phones and cameras as well, you can damage their photo receptors just as much as the ones which naturally occur in your eye.
So be careful out there! Enjoy the festivities and all the fun foods but be safe and stay healthy too!!
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