In terms of the universe we are quite insignificant.
As upcountrywater pointed out, a 91% eclipse is not the same as 100%. 100% is total darkness. 91% is more like a cloud cover moving in. With 91% you don’t see the Corona, the “diamond ring,” or the dancing plasma flares. Day does not turn into night and the stars do not come out. In fact if you weren’t paying attention you most likely wouldn’t have noticed at all, (isn’t that the truth about many things?) so stealthily did the eclipse approach. And so steadfastly did the sun continue to light our world. On the other hand animals, who survive by their instincts, missed nothing. Birds and squirrels, usually very active mid-morning, were all disappeared and silent. Unlike their more sensate human co-inhabitants they bow to nature. Yet despite the lack of dramatic darkness watching the advancing moon eclipse the sun with infrared blocking glasses was still awesome and a testament to our relative place in this great universe.
The sun is a most powerful entity.
As we weren’t in the path of totality I knew it wouldn’t grow completely dark. Watching the moon march across the sun, leaving just a wee sliver moon sized slice of it unblocked, the shadows deepened appreciably, providing shade where none is ever seen on a normal sunny day. And the temperature dropped - also appreciably - at least 10 degrees. I expected that. The surprise was how totally un-dark it grew. With only 9% of it's energy available the sun was still powerful enough to keep us lit with barely noticeable dimming. You would think that would be adequate evidence to convince members of the church of global warming that it is the sun that dictates temperatures and climate trends not evil carbon dioxide. But no.
Eclipse Musicality is biased:
There are far more moon songs than sun songs. And I agree totally with Son of Rusty Shackleford: Hearts and Bones is a seriously underrated album. I know Paul Simon is a useless lib politically but his lyrical skill is above reproach. I’m hard pressed to pick a favorite from this particular album but I am partial to Train in the Distance
But from time to time he makes her laugh
She cooks a meal of two
Everybody loves the sound of a train in the distance
Everybody thinks it's true
What is the point of this story
What information pertains
The thought that life could be better
Is woven indelibly
Into our hearts and our brains
Birds of a feather flock together:
Solar eclipses have virtually no effect of politics. Reaction to the President’s speech on Afghanistan pretty much fall along the usual partisan lines. And so it goes, life back to normal.
I highly recommend partaking of the next eclipse to venture our way if, God willing, we’re all still here.
Linked By: BlogsLucianneLoves, and Free Republic, Thanks!
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