This weekend’s eclipse to give preview of main event on April 8

Those pumped about next year’s total solar eclipse will have a test run this weekend.

A partial solar eclipse that will cover 50% of the sun’s area will happen Saturday.

It will begin at 11:46 a.m. and will be maximum coverage at 1:07 p.m. in Columbus.

If you are traveling to the Southwest and West Coast of the United State, this is a rarer annular eclipse or ring of fire eclipse.

In Ohio, as the moon begins to cover the sun more and more, you will see shadows change under trees change as thousands of pinholes are formed and you see little images of the sun looking like a cookie you took a bite out of.

For partial and annular eclipses, you should never take off your certified eclipse shades as a part of the Sun’s surface is always visible and can hurt your eyes.

Why should you take note of this weekend’s eclipse?

Partial eclipses are relatively common phenomena, so why should any of us care?

The main event comes on April 8, 2024. A total solar eclipse will pass through two thirds of the great state of Ohio.

This will be the last time for almost a century that Ohio will be in the path of totality (where the sun is completely covered by the moon).

This means you can take your glasses off and see the Corona of the sun, its crown of gas streaming away from the surface, and you will see stars and planets in the sky with a sunset in all directions.

Even if it is cloudy, you will see the sky go black in the middle of the day.

Why will the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse be such a special occasion?

I had someone ask me recently what is so special about the moon passing between the Earth and the sun and blocking it out for a few minutes. It’s actually hard to describe why an eclipse is such a magical experience.

It is incredible to see things you have never seen before but you also get to see a wall of darkness come rushing at you at 1,000 miles per hour.

You see planets and stars in the middle of the day. There is also the weird in between time where it gets cold even though it may be completely sunny. Then it gets weirdly dim and animals start to act weird or go to sleep. It’s just an incredible feeling because the experience is novel and unlike anything else.

How to prepare for the Oct. 14 partial solar eclipse?

If you want to know more about the eclipse in Ohio, go to eclipse.ohio.gov/.

This coming weekend is a great opportunity to practice observing the sun safely. You should NEVER use sunglasses or no protection to look at the sun, you will go blind and damage your eyes.

You want to only use certified eclipse shades and telescopes explicitly made for solar observing from reputable vendors.

While we all have time to get eclipse shades before April, the best way to observe the sun without proper safety equipment is to make a pinhole camera. Take a large sheet of thick paper, cardboard works great, and poke a small hole in it.

This will make geometric optic that will then image the sun on a screen or the ground. This is what is happening when you look under a tree, thousands of pinholes. You can then see the moon move across the surface of the sun and block parts of it and you can share it with family and friends.

Wayne Schlingman is the director of the Arne Slettebak Planetarium at Ohio State University. He specializes in radio astronomy, public outreach, and astronomy education.

A fellow who runs a construction business asked me recently what would happen if Ohio Issue 2 passes this fall, making it legal to use marijuana recreationally. He’s worried about people coming to work stoned and hurting, or even killing, other people.

Another Ohioan told me that she isn’t too worried about Issue 1, the proposed reproductive rights constitutional amendment, because “we will still have the heartbeat bill.”

Still another thought Issue 1 would amend the U.S. Constitution.

As with the bail bond issue from last November, there is misunderstanding, misinformation and just plain misses all over the place. That’s why I recently published a legal analysis of each issue, which you can find on the Ohio Attorney General’s website.

They aren’t policy analyses. That’s the “why” question – and that’s up to Ohio voters. They don’t tell you how to vote.

Instead, the analyses answer the “what” question, describing how these two issues, if approved, would change the legal environment.

Ohioans are not up to speed on abortion or marijuana issues.

I talk to a lot of people.

People of different faiths and different politics — assuming those two things are still distinct.

People from different walks of life – some have calluses on their hands, and some have calluses on their butts. Some are smart, and some less so. But this is their most commonly shared trait other than being human: They’re not yet up to speed on these issues.

This is key because there is no more important duty for a citizen than voting on a law or constitutional amendment at the ballot box. All political power is inherent

Columbus kids deserve better than deteriorating buildings

Columbus School Employees Association represents the school custodians, bus drivers, food service workers, secretaries, educational assistants, account clerks, security guards, and many other workers who are at the heart of the operations that educate Columbus schoolchildren.

The members of our union overwhelmingly live in the school district. Many of us attended the Columbus schools ourselves and our children and grandchildren are students in the system. All of our members are proud of our schools and are committed to the welfare of Columbus schoolchildren.

That is why we support the school levy and urge our fellow citizens to vote for Issue 11. We have worked our hearts out for many years to overcome the challenges posed by deteriorating buildings, a lack of the tools and supplies we need to serve the kids, and a severe shortage of staff needed to perform the critical functions necessary to educate the whole child we care for.

In spite of those obstacles, we continue to transport kids safely to and from school, maintain and clean the buildings in which they learn, tend to those with special needs, provide what is sometimes the only nutritious food kids will see in their day, and assist in the very learning process that defines our reason for existing at all.

Columbus City schoolchildren should have the same opportunities, quality facilities, safe learning environment and adequate staffing enjoyed by kids in other communities that surround our district. The economy and wellbeing of our entire city are at stake as we take up the challenge of teaching our children and providing them with the hope for a productive and rewarding life as part of our great city. Please vote “yes” on Issue 11.

Lois Carson, president, Columbus School Employees Association

Attack on educators, books from Moms for Liberty, others a distraction

Most Americans agree that no matter where we come from, how we earn a living, or how we vote, we all want our children to have a good education.

Quality education should equip our kids with the skills they need to pursue their dreams, and that includes an understanding of the mistakes of our past so we can move forward together. But some politicians see schools and children as opportunities to advance their political agendas, and nationally funded groups like Moms for Liberty want to help them.

They’re turning us against schools and teachers (and frankly teachers unions) and getting us to argue with each other.

Why?

To keep us from coming together to demand that every school and every student deserves an honest and accurate education, so our kids can understand how to build an even better future.

Our schools aren’t perfect, but these attacks on educators, books and students are a distraction from parents’ real concerns.

By joining together and speaking up, we can make sure every child has access to quality, honest and accurate education. And we can make sure schools are a place where every child has the freedom to learn, be who they are, and pursue their dreams.

Todd Schneider, Cuyahoga Falls

Columbus library has earned support

I am writing to express support for Issue 16, voting for the funding of our beloved Columbus Metropolitan Library.

As treasurer of the Friends of the Library Board, I can confidently vouch for the fiscal responsibility with which our libraries operate.

Taxpayer money is held in utmost respect and used prudently to ensure the best services to our residents. Here are just a few reasons why I believe our community should stand united in voting for Issue 16:

Responsible Financial Management: Our library is the epitome of financial responsibility. We have been commendably stretching the 2010 levy for thirteen years, three years more than what was promised. This demonstrates our ability to optimize resources and maximizes the value for every dollar spent. In 2020, amidst economic uncertainty fueled by the pandemic, our library swiftly implemented cost-saving measures, ensuring that the essential services remained unaffected.

Our library system is not just 23 buildings filled with books; they are nurturing spaces, think tanks, a refuge, and a launchpad for dreams.

As a community, it’s our collective duty to ensure that this sanctuary of knowledge continues to thrive.

Sarah Bethel, treasurer, Friends of the Library Board