Eclipse 2024: Live updates from Nashville on celestial happenings, science behind it
A solar eclipse washed the sky in a dusky haze Monday as Tennesseans caught a glimpse of the celestial phenomenon.
Beginning in Texas at 1:27 p.m., the eclipse reached its peak in Nashville and Middle Tennessee around 2 p.m. It is set to end in Maine at 3:35 p.m. EDT.
While the state wasn't in the path of totality like it was in 2017, it was pretty near the full event.
The Tennessean was there as people celebrated the eclipse.
Waiting for the clouds to pass, then brilliance
For about 50 people, waiting out the weather proved beneficial as the sun peeked through for extended periods of time after early uncertainty Monday.
Erin Gatgens and her son Charlie, 7, and daughter Mackay, 4, said divine intervention moved the sun and moon into frame long enough for many to get their money's worth out of the eclipse around 2:30 p.m.
The Gatgens said their friend greeted them and walked into the Adventure Science Center, missing out on the eclipse. But something was telling Erin Gatgens to stay put. She was rewarded for her patience as the clouds formed a ring around the shining star.
"It's just an amazing phenomenon," Erin Gatgens said. "Just to experience it with my kids, of God's creation and science, is just magical."
Jumping around in excitement, Mackay said the eclipse was "epic."
'The bright side'
The sun's reflection beamed off glasses in the crowd, giving solar eclipse viewers at Nashville's Adventure Science Center the appearance of glowing eyes.
Lyndie Ancker, a 14-year-old from Templeton Academy, shared the experience with her classmates. They gathered in a circle, lying on the center's north lawn as the eclipse peaked through the clouds.
"I wasn't expecting to see anything," Ancker said as overcast skies blanketed Nashville Monday. "On the bright side, at least we saw something."
Williamson County Library patrons think big eclipse thoughts
Joey Gold, 19, was viewing the eclipse Monday from the Williamson County Library. He said the event was special because it reminded him that we're all just a small part of a huge universe
"It's also crazy to think what people originally thought when it happened thousands of years ago," he said. "We freak out when it happens and we have technology. Imagine if we didn't!"
Lois Anderson, 62, was standing nearby.
"For me, it signifies a new beginning. Everything in life is an act from God, but this is a super special one to witness," she said.
Showcasing the power of the sun in Nashville
Appalachian State students from Boone, North Carolina were on hand showing off the power of the sun with their electric solar powered car ROSE (Racing On Solar Energy) just before the solar eclipse peak viewing time Monday.
The team, aptly named Sunergy, was at the Adventure Science Center as it prepared for a cross country race against other teams. The race is set to kick off in Nashville on July 19.
The car looks like something out of "Back to the Future" with unique curves encasing a driver and passenger in its dark gold body with solar paneling across the top.
But this car doesn't go back in time. It's considered the future of transportation.
Student Eli Paulson said the car has a 350 mile range, even if the sun wasn't out in full force Monday.
The vehicle will strive for efficiency supremacy against teams across the county as they battle it out in a race to see who has the most efficient vehicle. The finish line is in Casper, Wyoming.
"When it was originally put together. It was $400,000. Additionally, to that, after six years of maintenance and upgrades and all sorts of other stuff, it is probably closer to $475,000," Paulson said of the car's cost.
Worried about interrupted views with eclipse glasses? Don't be
As the Middle Tennessee area marches closer to peak solar eclipse viewing time, expected around 2 p.m., Adventure Science Center graphic designer Ruth Mudroch said the overcast conditions outside would not impact people's ability to see the eclipse while wearing special glasses.
Doctors and others have warned against looking at the sun without such protective eyewear.
Cloudy conditions expected to improve, albeit slightly: NWS
Cloudy conditions are expected to continue, but may improve slightly ahead of peak solar eclipse viewing time in the Nashville area as well as areas to the northwest while those near the Cumberland Plateau may have limited visibility, forecasters with the National Weather Service said just before 1 p.m.
Rain chances will be very low for Nashville with a high temperature of about 75 degrees, Meteorologist Mark Rose said.
It won't be perfect viewing, Meteorologist Alyssa Clements added, noting that the weather service's satellite imagery does show some breaks in the clouds around 2 p.m., when the eclipse should be at peak.
"So, all hope is not lost," she said. "I kind of think it's going to be a luck of the draw… some are gonna get to see it, some are gonna be in a bad spot where the clouds are obscuring the view.
"The more northwest you get of Nashville, those people are gonna have the best chance of being able to see it, those are gonna be the least cloudy conditions. I think for those folks northwest of Nashville, they're the lucky ones today."
As for the Cumberland Plateau, Clements said they'll have more clouds.
"They're probably … the least lucky … because that's where most of the clouds are, unfortunately," she said.
Nashville's General Jackson Showboat prepares for eclipse cruise
As the sun beat down from above, about 200 people clung to the shade under the awnings of the General Jackson Showboat’s gang plank just before 12:15 p.m.The captain and a safety officer stood nearby, the keepers of the boat and special eclipse glasses.“Welcome aboard,” they said handing a pair to each passing guest.With the dining room full, silverware clinking against white plates full of chicken, beef and vegetables, a rumble grew beneath the theater.The paddle wheel boat was off at 4 knots, heading downtown on the Cumberland River for the eclipse’s peak.
Nashville's Adventure Science Center expects thousands for eclipse
Shouts of pure joy and excitement filled the Nashville Adventure Science Center just after noon as kids ran from one activity to another, including solar mini car races that brought a smile, to UV bead bracket and necklace activities that change colors in the sun.
Adventure Science Center graphic designer Ruth Mudroch said officials expect 2,000 people at the center during the eclipse.
Scores of children and their families are expected to view the eclipse from the front entrance.
What happens during a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the Earth and sun, interrupting the light.
Those in the path of totality will experience a complete blocking of the light while those outside of the path, like in Nashville, will only experience a partial blocking.
Can you look at the eclipse?
Do not look directly at the sun.
Instead, slide on those eclipse glasses or fashion a pinhole projector to safely view the event.
Looking without a special device can cause permantent damage to the retinas and even cause blindness. It can also damage your phone.
Taking pictures of the eclipse on a smart phone can be tricky, and damaging if pointed directly at the sun. You'll need a filter for that phone as well.
When is the next solar eclipse after Monday?
After the eclipse Monday, it'll be a long wait for the next one.
According to NASA, the next total solar eclipse visible from the U.S. will be in August 2044.