It's almost time for a total eclipse of the sun.
Tennesseans across the state have a chance to catch a (safe) glimpse of this celestial phenomenon this afternoon. And while the state isn't in the path of totality, it will still be a pretty spectacular view.
Unless you decided to take a road trip to the path of totality like millions of other peopleto see the spectacle, you might still be wondering when exactly you should be taking a peak through your eclipse glasses or if you have time to put together a pinhole projector.
To get you through the day leading up to the main event, we've gathered all of the information that you could possibly need to know... and even some that you may not have known you needed.
Take a look at our complete guide to all things eclipse in Tennessee.
What time is the eclipse on Monday?
The eclipse will begin in Texas at 1:27 p.m. CDT and end in Maine at 3:35 p.m. EDT, but the exact time of the eclipse varies by where you are in its path.
In Tennessee, start time for the eclipse with vary depending on where you live in the state.
In Knoxville and East Tennessee the eclipse should start about 1:49 p.m. ET/12:49 p.m. CT.
In Nashville and Middle Tennessee, viewers can see the partial eclipse starting around 12:44 p.m.
In Memphis and West Tennessee, which will be the closest to totality, will start to see the eclipse around 12:37 p.m.
You can search by zip codeto find the exact time for your location.
Do I need anything special to view the solar eclipse?
Yes.
Looking at the sun without the right eye protection, for even a short time, can permanently damage the retinasand even cause blindness, calledsolar retinopathy, according tothe American Academy of Ophthalmology.
For the eclipse, people should wear special eclipse glasses that let you view it without damaging your eyes. And if you don't have glasses available there are alternative ways to safely view the eclipse.
Here's a couple of last minute ways to view the eclipse safely:
Can I take a photo of the eclipse with my phone?
Yes, but only with a special filter to make sure your phone doesn't get fried.
Back in 2017, NASA providedtips on how to immortalize the celestial event using a smartphone camera.NASA said most smartphone photos you'll see won't generally look very good with the typical smartphone system, however there are steps you can take to create some out of this world photos.
NASA recommends making sure the image is properly focused, purchasing a zoom lens attachment and zooming out for a wide-angle view. You'll also need a filter to keep you phone and eyes safe.
For more tips on how to take photos safely without damaging your phone or your eyes, head here.
Radiation from the solar eclipse: Is it harmful?
Once the eclipse reaches totality, the visible corona emits electromagnetic radiation that can appear with a green hue, according to NASA.
"Scientists have studied this radiation for centuries. Being a million times fainter than the light from the sun itself, there is nothing in the coronal light that could cross 150 million kilometers of space ,penetrate our dense atmosphere and cause blindness," read NASA's eclipse misconceptions.
This radiation isn't harmful to us on Earth, but it if you look at the sun before totality could cause some damage to the retina if you aren't using proper eyewear to view it, according to NASA.
What are the major types of eclipses?
Here's a look at the main types of eclipses, according to NASA.
Total solar eclipse: When the moon passes between the sun and Earth, while fully blocking the face of the sun.
Lunar eclipse: When Earth is positioned between the moon and sun, Earth’s shadow falls upon the surface of the moon, dimming it and sometimes turning the lunar face a striking red over the course of a few hours, according to NASA.
Annular solar eclipse:When the moon passes between the sun and Earth, but when it is at or near its farthest point from Earth. Due to the fact that moon is farther away from Earth, it appears smaller than the sun and does not entirely cover the sun. As a result, the moon appears as a dark disk on top of a larger bright disk, creating what looks like a ring around the moon.
Know your eclipse terms:What is an umbra? A penumbra? Here's some terms to know ahead of the 2024 solar eclipse
When is the next solar eclipse after Monday?
After April 8, we will have to wait a bit before we see another solar eclipse in the U.S.
According to NASA, the next total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous U.S. will be onAug. 23, 2044.
When is the next lunar eclipse?
According to Space.com, the next lunar eclipse with be a partial oneon Sept. 17.
It is expected to begin around 7:41 p.m. CT with the maximum point at 9:44 p.m. The partial lunar eclipse is expected to end around 11:47 p.m. CT. This one will be visibleover Europe, much of Asia, Africa, North America, South America, the Pacific, the Atlantic, the Indian Ocean, the Arctic and Antarctica, according toTimeandDate.com.
