Solar Eclipse Special Section

SOLAR ECLIPSE sun the weekly

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The stars come out day an

The stars come out day and night.

The stars come out day and night.

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AN ECLIPSE TO ECLIPSE THEM ALL

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BY DICK DORWORTH & DANA DUGAN

he total solar eclipse on Monday, Aug. 21 will be the “most photographed, most shared, most tweeted event in human history,” according to Tyler Nordgren, professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Redlands in Redlands, Calif. The reason Nordgren’s assertion is likely true is because this is the first total eclipse to cross coast to coast the United States in 99 years, and the first to be visible in any of the lower 48 states in 38 years.

Its visible swath will cross 14 states diagonally, from Oregon to South Carolina originating in the Pacific Northwest and ending 8,600 miles later in the Atlantic Ocean.

The path of totality, in which the moon totally blocks out the sun’s rays, is only about 70 miles wide. Despite the fact that eclipses occur every 18 months or so – a time period known as a saros – they are easy to miss as most occur over oceans.

According to eclipse.com, when the eclipse hits the Oregon coasts it will be moving at 2,955 mph. The shadow will move at different speeds across the country because of the curvature of the planet. It will cross the country in a blazing 90 minutes. When totality makes it to Charleston, S.C. it will have slowed to about 1,500 mph.

When the moon starts to cover the sun, you will see something called Baily’s Beads, the serrated-looking edge of the moon’s surface illuminated by the backlighting sun. Eventually, the light from the sun will brighten and concentrate on one edge of the moon and create an effect that looks like a glittering diamond ring.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

This unique map shows the path of the moon’s umbral shadow – in which the sun will be completely obscured by the moon – during the total solar eclipse of Aug. 21, 2017, as well as the fraction of the sun’s area covered by the moon outside the path of totality. The lunar shadow enters the United States near Lincoln City, Oregon, at 9:05 a.m. PDT. Totality begins in the United States in Lincoln City, Oregon, at 10:16 a.m. PDT. The total eclipse will end in Charleston, South Carolina, at 2:48 p.m. EDT. The lunar shadow leaves the United States at 4:09 p.m. EDT. A partial eclipse will be visible throughout the United States.

EVERYONE IN NORTH AMERICA WILL BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE THIS ECLIPSE.

Once the sparkly ring disappears, the moon will cover the sun and you can safely look at it without eclipse shades.

But don’t look for long, as this effect lasts only minutes before the process begins again in reverse.

Chris Anderson, production specialist & observatory coordinator at the Faulkner Planetarium in Twin Falls, said that the Bailey Beads might be visible for longer from the North Wood River Valley – which sits on the southern line of the path – than they would be from farther north, along the center line.

“There’s two parts to the eclipse; the moon’s shadow, and the complete or partial eclipse,” Anderson said. “There’s a partial, or penumbral, shadow and a full, or umbral, shadow. It gets narrower and narrower in the path of totality. The widest will be in southeastern Illinois and northern Kentucky.”

“When it first hits the earth it will be coming in fast; as it get to us it will be slowing down,” he said. “It’s a long skinny cone that comes in at an oblique angle. It lifts off as it leaves the Atlantic.”

Anderson plans on taking “113 of my closet friends to Rigby in two busses, leaving at 4 a.m.” to view the eclipse.

The Snake River Plain is actually a good bet for viewing, as it tends to be clearer, weather-wise. Clouds and or smoke could disturb effective viewing of the eclipse.

“Mountains brew up weather,” Anderson said.

And finally Anderson said that the “computer models of the path might not be precise. We don’t really know how big the sun is to the nearest mile.”

Instead, Anderson suggested a move towards the center line of the path of totality for a better chance.

Bailey’s Beads will be visible in the sky at the moment of the eclpise. Adobe Stock image

“The difference between a partial and total eclipse is a vastly different experience,” he said.

The Herrett Center in Twin Falls is currently screening “Eclipse: The Sun Revealed” on the history of eclipses, what you will see and why, as well as information on Idaho, and viewing tips.

It is being screened 19 times a day and in the days before the eclipse that number

will increase.

The Herrett will give away parking passes to the Mackay Idaho Solar Eclipse Campout, Aug 17-22, to trivia winners at the screenings.

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TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE ON AUGUST 21, 2017

Lunar topography data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s SELENE lunar orbiter were used to precisely calculate the location of the moon’s shadow. Land shading is based on a global mosaic of images from NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, and elevations are based on data from NASA’s Shuttle Radar Topography Mission. Planetary positions are from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory Development Ephemeris 421.

Credit: NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio

EXPERIENCE

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2017 ECLIPSE ACROSS AMERICA

THROUGH THE EYES OF NASA http://eclipse2017.nasa.gov www.nasa.gov

Public domain image, accessed via NASA.gov

Public domain images, accessed via NASA.gov

NP-2016-11-525-GSFC (Rev 4/17)

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SUN ECLIPS THE WEEKLY

‘NIGHT WATCH’ – EXHIBITION ALL WEEK

SILVERMAN’S ECLIPSE LECTURE SATU

VARIOUS TIMES / THE CENTER / KETCHUM

4:30-6PM / COMMUNITY LIBRARY / KETCH

Check out the Sun Valley Center for the Arts’ current visual arts exhibition “Night Watch.” Originally inspired by the upcoming solar eclipse, “Night Watch” presents the work of contemporary artists. The night has long been a subject for painters, poets and photographers. Evoking danger and excitement as well as mystery and awe, night is a time of renewal and transformation.

Night’s darkness alters form from sharp clarity to elusive shadows. The night is also a time of secrets, when prayer is whispered and rituals offer the promise of transformation. The “Night Watch” visual arts exhibition features works by artists Peter Alexander, Vija Celmins, Anna Fidler, Vanessa Marsh, Michal Rovner and Robert Zakanitch.

The visual arts exhibition will be on view through Aug. 26. For more information visit sunvalleycenter.org or call (208) 726-9491.

A total solar eclipse is one of nature’s most magnificent spectacles. Learn about total solar eclipses and how to view the upcoming display with Dr. Jeffrey Silverman.

Before moving into the tech industry, Silverman was an NSF Astronomy & Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Texas at Austin, and earned his PhD in Astrophysics at the University of California at Berkeley working on observations of exploding stars and dark energy with Professor Alex Filippenko.

Silverman is also heavily involved in various science communication and public outreach programs and often presents physics, chemistry and astronomy lessons in middle and high school classrooms. For more information about this lecture visit comlib.org.

MOSAIC PROJECT EXHIBITION WED AUG 16-SUN AUG 20 10AM TO 5PM / KETCHUM CONFERENCE & EVENTS CENTER Wood River Valley Studio Tour’s Mosaic Project provides a preview of the valley’s artistic community. Artists throughout the valley have each donated an original 8”x8” work of art inspired by the upcoming eclipse.

The artworks will be auctioned online to the highest bidders with proceeds benefiting the nonprofit Wood River Valley Studio Tour, Inc. Artists’ contributions for the Mosaic Project provide a significant source of funding for the Studio Tour’s marketing budget to promote the artistic talent and creativity in the valley.

View the artworks throughout the week at Ketchum Conference & Event Center, located at the intersection of Sun Valley Road and Walnut Avenue. Visit wrvstudiotour.org/tour/2017-mosaic-project to learn more about the project or to bid in the online auction.

SAWTOOTH FORUM & LECTURE SERIES

FRIDAY AUGUST 18

5PM / STANLEY MUSEUM The Sawtooth Interpretive & Historical Association 10th annual Forum and Lecture Series will continue at the Stanley Museum.

This week, Paul Cox, an astronomer with SLOOH (a robotic telescope service) will present a lecture and discussion on “Starlight & Darkness: Idaho’s 21st Century Total Solar Eclipse.”

The Sawtooth Interpretive & Historical Association is a nonprofit, member-based organization. All programs are free of charge, but donations are gladly accepted. For more information on programs and membership, visit discoversawtooth.org.

STARLAB & FREE ECLIPSE GLASSES FRIDAY AUGUST 18 5-7PM / COMMUNITY LIBRARY / KETCHUM As part of The Community Library’s LitWalk, visitors and locals can experience the StarLab–a portable planetarium. Learn about the eclipse and get free eclipse glasses for the whole family. Visit comlib.org/event/litwalk2017 to learn more.

ECLIPSE TALK WITH LEONA RISE SATURDAY AUGUST 19 NOON TO 1PM / KETCHUM TOWN SQUARE Meet in Ketchum’s Town Square to hear Leona Rise’s take on the upcoming eclipse.

AMERICAN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY L

6:30-8PM / LIMELIGHT B BALLROOM / SUN

The Sun Valley Center for the Arts will host the free lecture, American Astronomical Society’s “Revealing the Hidden, High-Energy Sun,” in conjunction with The Center’s “Night Watch” visual arts exhibition. It is open to the public.

Dr. Rachel Osten will talk about what the tantalizing solar features revealed during solar eclipses tell about the sun and its structure, as well as how this relates to what high-energy solar satellites routinely discover without the need for eclipses. She will then make a leap into the cosmos to discuss what astronomers are learning about the nearest stars and their potential to make good homes for other planets.

There is no reserved seating for this lecture. Seats will be available on a first-come, first-serv sunvalleycenter.org or call (208) 726-9491.

‘ECLIPSE-O-RAMA’ CONCERT

SUNDAY

8-9:30PM / OPERA HOUSE / SUN VALLEY Sun Valley Resort will present Darol Anger’s “Eclipse-O-Rama” concert with The Furies.

Darol Anger and The Furies will perform their unique original music celebrating the impending solar eclipse. Darol Anger is a true fiddle guru, unique in his range and depth. He has spent almost four decades reinventing American string music to encompass his explorations of bluegrass, jazz and music from across the globe.

The Furies features the talents of renowned singer/songwriter Emy Phelps, and the amazing duo of fiddle genius Andy Reiner with cello guru Joy Adams. Get tickets and learn more at sunvalley.com/things-to-do/entertainment/#/ opera-house.

GREAT AMERICAN ECLIPSE PARTY

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9AM TO 4PM / FESTIVAL MEADOW / SUN V

Meet scientists, photographers, eclipse chasers and thousa from across the globe at Sun Valley’s Festival Meadows. There activities for the kids, an astronomer/speaker and more at this party.

At 9 a.m. enjoy yoga and music with Tyia Wilson. At 10:3 be a welcome from the Ketchum and Sun Valley mayors, and to totality, a talk from astronomer Jeff Silverman at 11 a.m. D total solar eclipse, experience a special performance by DJ C

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SE CALENDAR

URDAY AUGUST 19

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LECTURE

PAVILION LAWN ECLIPSE PARTY

MONDAY AUGUST 21

9AM TO DUSK / PAVILION LAWN / SUN VALLEY Observe the Solar Eclipse in the sky and on the jumbotron while relaxing on the Sun Valley Pavilion lawn. A no-host bar with food and beverage specials will begin at 9 a.m. and run throughout the day. The official Sun Valley Solar Eclipse eyeglasses will be available for purchase.

THE GREAT AMERICAN SOLAR ECLIPSE MONDAY AUGUST 21

SUNDAY AUGUST 20

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ved basis. For more information about Osten’s lecture visit

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ONDAY AUGUST 21

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10:12AM-11:30AM / WOOD RIVER VALLEY SKY This is the first time since 1979 that a total eclipse of the sun will be visible from all 48 contiguous states and the first time it will be visible from coast-to-coast in the US since 1918. Ketchum and Sun Valley are right in the pathway of the eclipse. The partial eclipse will begin at 10:12 a.m. and the total eclipse will begin at 11:29 a.m.

Get the best view by hiking to the top of Bald Mountain or heading north to Stanley. As lift tickets up Bald Mountain are sold out, consider donning some hiking boots, packing a picnic and making a day of it.

EMILY STANTON BAND – LIVE MUSIC MONDAY AUGUST 21 NOON TO 3PM / TOP OF BALD MOUNTAIN Hang at the top of Bald Mountain after the eclipse. There will be live entertainment, no-host bars, a barbecue and good vibrations from the Emily Stanton Band. If you don’t lift tickets, hike or ride to the top.

POST-APOC-ECLIPSE FUN MONDAY AUGUST 21 NOON TO 4PM / SUN VALLEY VILLAGE After the Eclipse, there will be live entertainment from noon to 3 p.m., a large barbecue near the Duck Pond, Spider Jump and family-friendly activities such as face painting, lawn games and the famous kids’ train. Visit sunvalley.com/ eclipse2017 to learn more.

SOLAR ECLIPSE DE-BRIEF MONDAY AUGUST 21 3-3:30PM / COMMUNITY LIBRARY / KETCHUM See the solar eclipse and still have questions about how exactly an eclipse happens? This 40-minute program designed for school age children will teach about the sun, moon and the movement that created a solar eclipse in the Wood River Valley area. Visit comlib.org/kids for more information.

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SPONSORED ST. LUKE’S WOOD RIVER

TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE 2017 TIPS FOR SAFETY

BY DEBORAH G. ROBERTSON MD, MHA MEDICAL DIRECTOR ST. LUKE’S WOOD RIVER EMERGENCY DEPT.

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Syzygy poster by Hailey artist Tom Teitge Eclipse Jewelry by Idaho silversmith JC Caccia

Golden door Gallery 131 W. 4th St. Ketchum 726-8709 Open Eclipse Weekend 10 am - 5 pm

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Served with Salad, California roll, and Garlic Rice Lunch: 11am-3pm Monday-Friday Dinner: 3-10pm 7 Days a Week NOW OPEN AT 310 MAIN STREET IN HAILEY Hailey: (208) 928-7111

n Monday, Aug. 21 people in the path of totality will see a rare phenomenon – a total solar eclipse.

Given the rarity of this event and the generally clear skies our area typically enjoys, it is estimated Ketchum, Sun Valley and the Stanley area will experience a large influx of visitors, perhaps as many as 35,000 in each area! Residents and visitors are encouraged to prepare ahead of time and to take measures to stay safe and healthy.

• Stock up on essential provisions such as water, ice, food, prescription medications and fuel. Traffic volumes might be quite heavy and these items may become scarce.

• Have a first aid kit and keep it ready. Visit cleverhiker. com or the hikinglife.com for suggestions for first aid kits ingredients.

• Do not rely on cell service; the network may not be able to handle the increased volumes.

• Have a plan in case of emergencies such as a fire or, if separated, where to meet.

• Be patient, stay calm and take a deep breath.

• 911 and Dispatch will likely be overwhelmed on eclipse day. Only call 911 if there’s a true emergency. Expect increased response times due to traffic congestion and limited resources. The non-emergency phone number to Dispatch is (208) 578-3831.

• Sign up for Air St. Luke’s Membership.

At $60/year, it’s a bargain compared to the cost of air ambulance without membership. There’s a 72-hour waiting period so sign up today, at stlukesonline.org/healthservices/service-groups/air-stlukes.

Safety in the Backcountry As Director of Emergency Medicine for St. Luke’s Wood River, we’ve treated a number of injuries related to activities in the backcountry. While some are minor, others have been serious, and several have required a backcountry rescue.

Given the anticipated influx of visitors around the total solar eclipse on Monday, resources may be stretched, possibly delaying backcountry rescues. Those venturing into the backcountry should plan for the unanticipated, including overnight shelter and provisions.

Before you go out for a hike, bike or activity on one of our area’s magnificent trails or back country locations, assume you will have no cell service, even just a few minutes away from town. The following are true any time of year: • Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back regardless if you’re going solo or going with others.

• Bring a map and a compass

and keep track of your location.

Many trails can be confusing. Do not rely solely on your cell phone for maps or communication.

• Stay Found. If you are lost, don’t continue on in hopes of finding your way. Retrace your route back toward the trailhead until you pick up the trail or find someone who knows the area. If you cannot retrace your route, stay put, conserve energy and water, make yourself visible and await rescue. If possible, stay together in case of problems.

Discuss your situation calmly and make a plan to improve it. Let someone know of your plans.

• Bring plenty of water and extra high-energy food. Stay hydrated, often water alone isn’t enough, and our body needs to replace electrolytes found in some sports drinks.

• Apply Sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher with broad spectrum, which protects from both UVA and UVB rays. Re-apply every 90 minutes for ongoing protection. Lip balm with SPF is a must.

• Dress appropriately.

Lightweight, loose fitting clothing helps sweat evaporate and keeps you cooler. Avoid dark colors, which can absorb heat. If possible, wear a lightcolored, wide-brimmed hat.

• Bring clothing for changes in the weather. Our mountain climate can be unpredictable with sudden storms producing rain, hail and temperatures that drop quickly. Nighttime temperatures drop significantly.

Don’t venture into remote areas with nothing but a t-shirt and shorts. Carry a windbreaker, sunscreen, sunglasses, extra warm clothing. A tarp can give you wind and rain protection.

• Watch out for lightning. If you see lightning approaching, take cover in a vehicle or crouch in a low, dry spot. Avoid metal objects and never take shelter under a lone tree, at the base of a cliff, or in a shallow cave.

• Bring a first aid kit, matches or a lighter. Even duct tape and safety pins can go a long way to fix a number of issues.

• Sign up for Air St. Luke’s Membership. See above.

Eye Safety Eye safety is of vital importance to enjoy this rare phenomenal event.

• It’s unsafe to look directly at the sun except during the brief phase of totality.

• Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun.

• Certified eclipse glasses, with special-purpose solar filters should be worn to view preeclipse or partial-eclipse phases.

The following manufacturers have certified that their eclipse

glasses and handheld solar viewers meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard for such products: Rainbow Symphony, American Paper Optics, Thousand Oaks Optical, and TSE 17.

• Don’t look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or other optical device. Similarly, do not look at the sun through a camera, a telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while using your eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewer — the concentrated solar rays will damage the filter and enter your eye(s), causing serious injury.

If you are within the path of totality, remove your solar filter only when the Moon completely covers the sun and it suddenly gets quite dark.

As soon as the bright sun begins to reappear, replace your solar viewer to glance at the remaining partial phases.

There is an app for iPhone that uses your GPS and will alert you when to remove glasses and when to put them back on. Even a few moments of looking at the sun outside of the totality can be dangerous. The eye damage caused by looking at the sun is called solar retinopathy. This can result in permanent vision damage. To learn more, visit eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety.

Unattended Children, Seniors And Pets In Vehicles There is no safe temperature to leave a child unattended in a vehicle.

• A child’s body temperature rises 5 times faster than an adult’s.

• Death can occur when a child’s temperature reaches 107 degrees.

• On an 80 degree day, a child’s body temperature can reach deadly levels in only 10 minutes.

• On days when ambient temperatures exceed 86 degrees, the internal temperatures of a vehicle can quickly reach 134 to 154 degrees.

• Keep in mind body temperature for the elderly and our furry friends also heats up faster and can quickly become unsafe.

St. Luke’s Wood River will have additional urgent care hours in the Physician Office Annex north of the hospital from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 19-20 The Hailey Clinic will also be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 19. Call (208) 788-3434 for appointments.

It’s your life.

We help you live it.

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Live. Play. Smile.

Dr. Scott Featherstone & Dr. Cheryl Rice and their team would like to extend a warm welcome to

Laura Laggis, RDH A battle in what was Asia Minor came to an abrupt halt due to a Solar Eclipse in 585 BC, shown here on a water vessel from the area – circa the 6th century B.C. – on display at the Louvre Museum in Paris. Public domain photo accessed via atlasobscura.com

DRAGONS, DOGS AND SCIENCE, OH MY

BY DANA DUGAN

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he Solar Eclipse, or as it’s being marketed, The Great American Solar Eclipse, may be one of the more amazing things people will ever see. Due to a steady stream of research and science over the past 100 years or so, people actually know what’s happening. It hasn’t always been this way.

In fact, for centuries, the occurrence of a solar eclipse was something to fear. It was the unknown and it was huge.

Something really bad must be happening up there, the gods were displeased, or perhaps celestial dogs or dragons were eating the sun.

In 1948, archeologists found a clay tablet in Syria. Upon it was written, “On the...day of the new moon in (the month) hiyaru, the Sun went down, its gatekeeper was (God) Rašap.”

Dating eventually proved this was written in 1527.

In 2300 BC China, two unlucky Chinese astrologers, Xi and He, were beheaded after failing to predict a solar eclipse.

According to Herodotus’s “Histories,” written in 450 B.C., Greek philosopher Thales of Miletus was the first person to predict the time and place of an eclipse. Even more important than keeping his own head, a years-long war between Lydia (today, Western Turkey) and Media (today, regions of Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, and parts of Kermanshah) was halted, saving an unknown number of heads.

Thales may have studied the Egyptians’ techniques of land measurement, later made famous by Euclid.

Things started changing even more when, in the second century, Greek astronomer and mathematician, Claudius Ptolemy wrote “Mathematike Syntaxis” (in Greek) on the apparent motions of the stars and planets. This work eventually became known as “The Greatest Compilation,” and it established the model of a geocentric universe, a scientific chart that would be followed for the next thousand years including as a way to predict solar eclipses.

Since the U.S. declared its independence 241 years ago, 20 total solar eclipses have traced arcs across the country.

The first was June 24, 1778. As with the one that will occur next Monday, Aug. 21, that one began in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It passed fairly close to Philadelphia where it was observed by astronomer David Rittenhouse (as in Rittenhouse Square), whose comments on the eclipse were published in one of the first volumes of the American Philosophical Society’s memoirs.

Meanwhile in Virginia, Thomas Jefferson wrote in a letter to Rittenhouse that “[we] were much disappointed in Virginia generally on the day of the great eclipse, which proved to be cloudy. In [Williamsburg], where it was total, I understand only the beginning was seen.”

In June 1806, Sidney Perley, a devoutly religious lawyer in Salem, Mass., – where the men were a little out there, already wrote about the eclipse, “several died from [the eclipse’s] effects.”

Back in the scientific mode, British astronomer Sir Arthur Eddington took the opportunity of the total solar eclipse on May 29, 1919 to test Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity, which said that the gravitational fields around massive objects could actually bend light beams.

Eddington knew that the only way to test this theory was to find an enormous object, and the only one that proved large enough was the sun.

This phenomenon is known as gravitational deflection.

Then there was the time Melbourne, Australia got suckered into not watching the solar eclipse at all. It was October 1976, and rather than watching it outdoors, people were glued to their TV sets.

Nothing was on it, of course, except for misinformation about viewing eclipses arranged by the Australian Optometric Association, which had been posted all over town. Sheepishly, residents realized these fliers, which proclaimed, “Watch the eclipse on television – this is the SAFE way to see the eclipse,” had duped them Don’t be Melbourne. tws

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BECOME AN UMBRAPHILE FOR A DAY Solar Eclipse Fun Facts

BY DANA DUGAN

• In her 1982 essay “Total Eclipse,” author Annie Dillard famously wrote, “Seeing a partial eclipse bears the same relation to seeing a total eclipse as kissing a man does to marrying him.”

• Umbraphile – or shadow lover – is the name for those who chase eclipses.

• The symmetry of a total solar eclipse happens because the sun is 400 times larger than the moon but is also 400 times farther from Earth, making the two bodies appear the exact same size in the sky.

• The U.S. hasn’t had a total solar eclipse visible from coast to coast since 1918. In Idaho, the path of totality will be about 70 miles wide and will run from the western edge of Idaho to the eastern edge of the Snake River Plain, through towns such as Ontario, Payette, Emmett, Cascade, Lowman, Ketchum/Sun Valley, Stanley, Challis, Mackay, Arco, Idaho Falls, and St. Anthony. Some total eclipse times are Stanley: 11:28:18 a.m.; Mackay: 11:30:19 a.m. and Weiser: 11:25:18 a.m.

• Total solar eclipses vary in time because Earth isn’t always at the same distance from the sun and the moon isn’t always the same distance from Earth. The Earth-sun distance varies by 3 percent and the moon-Earth distance by 12 percent. The result is that the moon’s apparent diameter ranges from 7 percent larger to 10 percent smaller than the sun.

• The only safe way to look at an eclipse is with a pinhole projector, camera obscura or certified eclipse glasses.

• The discovery of helium came about because of a solar eclipse. French astronomer Jules Janssen discovered the first evidence for the existence of the second lightest and the second most abundant element known to humans during a total solar eclipse on Aug. 16, 1868. Because of this, it’s named after the Greek word for the Sun: Helios.

• Strange things can occur during an eclipse, Animals get confused by the lack of light and assume it’s nighttime.

• Temperatures may drop as much as 10-15 degrees.

• And apparently marriage proposals will ensue.

• A gang of nine umbraphiles, including Glenn Schneider, an astronomer at Steward Observatory in Arizona, hired a Cessna Citation II on Oct. 3, 1986 to chase the eclipse between Iceland and Greenland. For a brief moment, they were able to fly within the shadow.

• J. W. Campbell, a Canadian astronomer and renowned eclipse chaser, traveled for 50 years trying to catch at least 12 different eclipses. Unfortunately for the world traveler, he was thwarted by overcast skies every time.

A Camera Obscura, once the instrument of choice for safely viewing a solar eclipse on display at the Science Museum of London. Photo accessed via Wikimedia Commons

• The Chinese word for solar eclipse is shih, meaning “to eat.” Banging on drums and pots were thought to scare off the heavenly dog who was chomping away on the sun.

• In India, there are all sorts of popular misconceptions about a solar eclipse. For instance, pregnant women are advised not to leave their house, eat or cook because of possible side effects on the growing baby.

• Clouds or smoke would both affect the ability to see the eclipse in all its glory. If the sky is overcast during totality, it will still get dark, but you won’t be able to see the moon cover the sun or the glow of the corona. Eclipse experts recommend checking the weather forecast (a sound piece of advice that proves why they’re the experts).

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Urgent Care Services Available Eclipse Weekend Saturday and Sunday, August 19 and 20

Eclipse Weekend Hours Saturday and Sunday, August 19 and 20 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Urgent Care, walk-ins welcome

St. Luke’s Hailey Clinic 1450 Aviation Drive, Suite 100 Hailey Eclipse Weekend Hours Saturday, August 19, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Please call (208) 788-3434 for appointment

Tips to stay healthy during the eclipse: • Protect your eyes. Wear eclipse glasses to view the eclipse.

Even a few seconds can cause damage.

• Stay hydrated. Drink lots of water and sports drinks.

• Use sunscreen of SPF 30 or greater with broad spectrum.

Re-apply often and don’t forget lip balm with SPF of 25+.

• Be prepared, especially in the backcountry.

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St. Luke’s Wood River Physician Annex 100 Hospital Drive 1st Floor, North Entrance Ketchum