Charlie Hart
By Charlie Hart
A once-in-many-lifetimes experience is coming to Hancock County. In two years, the area will witness its first total solar eclipse since May 15, A.D. 831. That’s 831 as in, no one was here except for a few Native Americans. Mark your calendars and prepare for a phenomenon on April 8, 2024, that will not be seen again in Greenfield until after the year 3000.
Solar eclipses occur when the moon’s path crosses between Earth and the sun. Though the moon orbits Earth every 29 days, its five-degree orbital plane only produces a solar eclipse about once every 18 months. The narrow paths of total eclipses usually occur over ocean water.
Locally, the partial eclipse phase will begin about 1:51 p.m. and continue until 3:06 p.m. During the partial phase, the moon will cover an ever-increasing part of the sun’s disk. Special eclipse-viewing glasses must be worn when looking at the sun during the partial phase. Sunglasses are not enough! A 99 percent-covered sun is 10,000 times brighter than a full moon. Staring at the sun without proper protection can cause eye damage including blindness. Visit www.eclipse2024.org to purchase eclipse-viewing glasses.
Around 2:50 p.m., the experience will get cool both literally and figuratively. The skies will dim, and a temperature drop will become noticeable. Birds will begin to chirp, and farm animals may head for the barn. Then, at 3:06… darkness. Eclipse-viewing glasses can be removed as the moon will totally cover the sun high in the southern sky. The sun’s corona will be visible as the mid-afternoon landscape turns black. West of the eclipsed sun, Venus will shine brightly. To the east, Jupiter will appear. Observe the temperature. Previous eclipses have produced decreases nearing 20 degrees Fahrenheit from the beginning of the partial phase until the end of totality.
Soak in the experience that some have described as religious, transcendent, and life-changing. Ponder what people might have thought when plunged into darkness in 831. Was it terrifying? Was it a warning from their god? Did they celebrate? What might the people of Greenfield think the next time totality comes after year 3000? Residents north of County Road 400N will experience totality again in the year 2505.
Depending on your location in the county, totality will last between three and four minutes. Get ready to put your eclipse-viewing glasses back on about 3:10 p.m. The eclipse will return to a partial phase until ending completely at 4:24 p.m.
Beyond an experience that your children will tell their grandchildren about, this event will be important for the city of Greenfield and Hancock County. People travel great distances to see total solar eclipses. Large cities in the path of totality will include Dallas, Little Rock, Indianapolis and Cleveland. With proximity close to Indianapolis, Greenfield and Hancock County will take in many first-time visitors. Restaurants and hotels will see additional guests. The Chamber of Commerce will have the chance to expose the charm of the local area to tourists.
Start making plans now. Go outside this week around 3 p.m. and note the sun’s location. It will be the in the same place during totality. Order eclipse-viewing glasses. They are much cheaper now than they will be shortly before the eclipse. They will still work in two years if stored in a dry, safe place. Tell your friends and family. If they live outside the path of totality, invite them to Hancock County for the big day. This total eclipse will be the only one of our lifetimes that will not require distant travel. I can’t wait.
