Total Eclipse Of The Heart
What an amazing total solar eclipse there was this week! And aren't we lucky that legendary science communicatorer and 70's beat poet scientist Bob Cheeseman was there to witness it live? No. We weren't. It meant that he sent us an another article that we are contractually obliged to publish. Nightmare.
SCIENCE TRAVEL
Bob Cheeseman and Edited a bit by Mark Prince
4/12/20243 min read
"Whoa, hold onto your lab coats, fellow stargazers! It’s time to talk about the cosmic spectacle of the century: the Total Solar Eclipse that graced North America on Monday, April 8, 2024. Buckle up, because we’re diving into the celestial dance of the Sun, the Moon, and a whole lotta cosmic pizzazz!
The Great Eclipse Tango: Sun and Moon Get Cozy
Picture this: the Sun, our celestial disco ball, is throwing a party in the sky. But wait, who’s that sliding in from stage left? It’s none other than the Moon, dressed in its finest shadow cloak. The Sun’s all like, “Hey, Moon, wanna dance?” And the Moon’s like, “Sure thing, Sun. Let’s tango!” (Editor's apology: He is on very strong medication)
Step 1: The Warm-Up Act (Partial Eclipse)
As the Moon sidles up to the Sun, it starts nibbling on its fiery edges. This is the Partial Eclipse, folks! Imagine the Sun as a delicious cosmic cookie, and the Moon takes a big ol’ bite out of it. The sky gets dimmer, birds tweet confusedly, and your neighbor’s cat starts doing somersaults. Science, baby!
Step 2: Totality – The Main Event!
Now, here’s where things get interstellar. The Moon keeps chomping away at the Sun until—boom!—we hit Totality. The Sun’s like, “Who turned off the lights?” and the Moon’s all mysterious, casting its shadow across the land. Suddenly, it’s night time during the day! Stars twinkle, planets wave hello, and werewolves probably have a field day. (Editor's correction: There can't be werewolves as its not a full moon, otherwise there wouldn#t be able to be an eclipse if it was a full moon. Basic science error.)
Step 3: The Encore (Partial Eclipse, Part Deux)
But wait, there’s more! After a cosmic coffee break, the Moon starts unwrapping its snack from the Sun. The Partial Eclipse returns, like the encore of a rock concert. The Sun’s rays peek out, and everyone claps (metaphorically). Birds regain their composure, and your neighbor’s (Editor's apology: He's American - they can't spell properlly) cat goes back to plotting world domination (Editor's note: Actually, I believe that about cats too)
The Science-y Stuff (Because We’re Classy)
Why Does This Happen? It’s all about celestial geometry, my starry friends. The Moon’s orbit around Earth aligns just right, blocking the Sun’s light. Voilà! Eclipse magic.
Safety First! Never stare directly at the Sun during an eclipse. Wear those groovy eclipse glasses or use a pinhole projector. Your retinas will thank you. (Editor's reluctant agreement: Actual a good point)
The Afterparty
As the Moon finishes its cosmic confection, the Sun emerges, winking like a cosmic flirt. The stars give a standing ovation, and the Moon takes a bow. The Sun’s all, “Thanks for the dance, Moon!” And the Moon’s like, “Anytime, Sun. You’re my favorite partner in this celestial salsa.”
So there you have it, fellow space cadets! The Total Solar Eclipse of 2024: a cosmic prom night where the Sun and Moon twirled, dipped, and left us all starstruck. Until next time, keep your telescopes polished, your cheesy science hats on, and remember: the universe is one big, glittery dance floor.
Disclaimer:
The Editor takes no responsibility for anyone who was physically sick whilst reading this article or any damage that occurred to computer monitors and/or phone screens being smashed due to anger induced by the sheer unadulterated cheese fest that this poorly written article is.
