Solar Eclipse 2024

The 2024 Solar Eclipse

By Wesley Roberts

Photo of the 2017 solar eclipse by Wesley Roberts

The second solar eclipse within 6 months will be visible in Nashville on April 8, 2024. Although we are not in the path of totality, we can expect the sun to appear 95% covered by our moon. The Nashville sky will become much darker than a normal day, and millions of people throughout our area and North America will enjoy this astronomical event.

Many people understand what is happening. As the moon moves in its orbit around the Earth, it will pass directly between the sun and our planet. The shadow cast by the moon on to North America will move from southwest to northeast along a path from Mexico through to New England. Along the path of totality, where the moon appears to completely cover the sun, it will be as dark as nighttime for a few minutes and stars will appear in the daytime sky.

The 2017 solar eclipse casting darkness on the mid-day landscape (photo by Jenna Atma)

A most important aspect of understanding this phenomenon is the accuracy of science. There are very few events that take place in the future for which we can have near absolute certainty of their occurrence. Science gives us the opportunity to make reasonable predictions to which we assign confidence based on the fact that results are testable. For example, the science of meteorology gives us reasonable expectations about upcoming weather and the science of botany helps us to have reasonable expectations that we can grow food. Neither of these is 100% definite. The prediction of an eclipse is as close to 100% as we can get.

In the 4^th century BCE, Chinese astronomers began predicting eclipses accurately (with at least one king, Zhong Kang, beheading two astronomers who failed to predict one). The observations of a lunar pattern called the “Saros Cycle” was observed by ancient cultures around the world and enabled the forecasts to proceed. Today we can accurately state the eclipses that will occur for the next several thousand years.

Warner Parks staff safely viewing an eclipse with special eclipse-viewing glasses

As science is currently attacked from many disciplines that include an unwillingness to accept its rigid protocols and openness to revision based on data, the solar eclipse is a strong testament to the power of this branch of knowledge. On April 8, 2024, this event WILL HAPPEN (to be accurate, an asteroid of the “Don't Look Up” variety could strike, or a few other cataclysmic events, but these are unlikely to the point of being dismissible). As you are getting comfortable in your observation place, wearing your safe eclipse glasses, finding yourself in awe of the power of this marvel and counting the stars that almost magically appear in the daytime sky, be aware of the values that scientific discoveries have added to the quality of our lives. Most of all, enjoy this celestial show of shows and our unique ability to understand it. 

Check out the simulator below to see the 2024 Solar Eclipse's travel path!

https://eclipse2024.org/eclipse_cities/statemap.html

Wesley Roberts is retired from Metro Public Schools. He taught ecology, biology, and astronomy for 38 years.

The Spring Peepining

The Spring Peepining

By Elyse Dilks

Naturalist -- Warner Parks

Spring Peeper

As spring approaches, there are many signs to let us know that warmer months are about to come. The flowers begin to bloom, insects begin to buzz around, birds that migrated during the winter months start to return home, and all the creatures that hid away in their warm burrows and dens creep out. However, one of my favorite signs of spring is when you start to hear the evening calls of some peculiar creatures that we know dearly as the frogs and toads.

Cope's Gray Treefrog

Tennessee is home to 21 species of frogs and toads, though not all are heard or seen here at Warner Parks. Since January, I have been on edge, waiting and listening for the frogs to begin their wonderous tunes. However, the start of 2024 has already been a strange one when it comes to the weather here in Tennessee. From temperatures ranging as high as the 60s-70s to lows being in the 20s-30s, each week this winter has been different. We were even hit with freezing temperatures that resulted in much of Nashville being shut down due to the ice and snow. With the weather being so irregular, it becomes harder to predict what the wildlife will do. In terms of frogs, some are more resilient than others to the cold, but with such random weather and temperatures, it was a mystery as to when we would hear the early bird, or in this case, the early frog.

Chorus Frog

It was just yesterday, February 14th, that I heard my first frog calls of the new year while out walking on the Old Roadway near the Little Harpeth River. The calls sounded like a finger plucking or dragging against a comb. These calls are made by Chorus Frogs, which are often the first frog calls heard due to their resistance to the cool spring weather. I was overjoyed to hear their melodic cries as they called back and forth to one another, even adding in harmonies.

Although I have yet to hear them, other species to be listening for are the Spring Peepers’ peeps and American Toads soothing trills. Once spring has officially begun by mid-March, many other species will start to come out. By the end of spring in June, most species of frogs will have emerged, having either completed or are just starting their mating call rituals.

American Toad

I highly encourage you to go out to Warner Parks for an evening hike where there is a nearby water source. Take a stroll around Butler’s Field, the Old Roadway, or even stop by and sit at a shelter or picnic table at the Little Harpeth River or Willow Pond. From my own experience, going out and seeing the sun start to set where the luscious colors of the world seem to fade, there’s a comfort in knowing you are not alone as the loud “WAAAAH” of a nearby Fowler’s Toad fills the air.

 

Fowler's Toad

Here is a link I have found very helpful during my frog call listening journey: Identify by Sound (leaps.ms)