Abilene residents will see partial eclipse

Apr. 2—Abilene is not in the path for the full solar eclipse April 8. However, at its peak, viewers in Abilene will see about 84% of the sun covered by the moon according to U.S Astronomical Applications Department.

Solar eclipses are visible somewhere in the world at least once a year, but the next time one will move across the United States isn't until 2044. The current long-range weather forecast April 8 is partly cloudy and a high of 76, which can make for a great viewing provided the partly cloudy is not in front of the sun.

A solar eclipse happens when the sun, a new moon, and Earth are aligned, or in syzygy. The moon, directly between the sun and Earth, casts a shadow on the planet. People in the dark part of that shadow, or the umbra, will see a total eclipse. Those in the light part, the penumbra, will see a partial eclipse.

In Abilene, the eclipse will start at 12:34 p.m., reach its peak at 1:50 p.m. and finish at 3:06 p.m.

Eclipse safety

Even as the moon moves over the sun turning day into night, ophthalmologists advise against looking directly at the eclipse without specialized eye protection. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, looking at the sun can burn a person's retinas similar to how sunlight can start a fire when focused through a magnifying glass.

There are ways to view the eclipse without damaging the eyes:

— Use eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewers with a filter that meets the worldwide standard known as ISO 12312-2. Sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not sufficient.

— Make a pinhole viewer, which projects the image of the sun onto another surface. The image of the sun is safe to look at throughout the eclipse. Learn how to make a pinhole projector using two pieces of white card stock, aluminum foil, tape and a pin, paper clip or pencil at https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/learn/project/how-to-make-a-pinhole-camera/

— Watch a live stream of the event.

Eclipse myths, superstitions

Myths and superstitions have surrounded eclipses for centuries and cover an array of beliefs.

Several cultures believed a creature of some sort was eating the sun. In Vietnam, it was a giant frog; Norse cultures blamed wolves; Choctaws believed it to be a black squirrel.

In the Andes, people thought a puma was devouring the sun. The only way to save the sun was for children to scream and frighten the puma away.

In Hindu mythology, the god Rahu is beheaded and his head flies off and swallows the sun.

In ancient China, it was a dragon feasting on the sun.

The ancient Greeks believed an eclipse to be a sign of angry gods and impending disaster.