Masterson’s nonchalance doesn’t reflect total event

Mike Masterson may not mean to be “some kind of crotchety old killjoy” (his words) when he says the solar eclipse amounted to a “disappointing historic nothingburger.” Admittedly, he’s not alone. An acquaintance said he wouldn’t even bother to step outside to check out the solar eclipse if there was a good movie on television.

Perhaps they could both benefit from a little curiosity and information. Science is not my strong suit but I seized this opportunity that usually only comes around every 300 or so years to a particular spot on earth, and traveled 70 miles to enjoy the event surrounded by the St. Francis/Ozark National Forest and a handful of friends and relatives.

In preparation, I had watched a few YouTube videos and did a little research online. How I love having access to the extensive library I carry around in a pocket-sized device! I’ll share a few things I learned that enhanced my experience and helped me know what to look for.

The first thing is there are websites (try timeanddate.com) that list eclipses years into the future. Pick a location within a zone and the site lists the precise times of the beginning and ending of the eclipse and duration of totality. I am in awe that scientists and mathematicians can make such calculations!

Second, had I not prepared I wouldn’t have known to look for the two diamond rings. It was my favorite part: I am, after all, a woman. Just before totality and again just as it ended, with the corona around the moon serving as the band, the tiniest bit of the exposed sun burst into what looked like a huge and briefly visible flashing diamond.

My third observation is there is an absolute difference between a total and a partial solar eclipse even if it is at 98% as Mr. Masterson observed in Harrison. It’s too bad he didn’t head a just a few miles away and he would have had a totally (no pun intended) different experience. He advises his reader to step outside at “about 10 tonight to witness your own totality.” Sorry, it’s not the same. You won’t see a corona around the sun or what appears to be a faint 360-degree sunrise. A total eclipse isn’t as dark as a moonless night, but it is dark enough that some planets are visible in the middle of the day.

Unbelievably, 21 years from now on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2045, another total solar eclipse will pass over Rogers moving from the northwest to the southeast and will intersect the path of the eclipse of 2024. It will start at 10:41 a.m. and end at 1:17 p.m. Totality will occur at 11:58 a.m. and last for 2 minutes, 24 seconds.

If we’re still around, my husband and I will be three days short of celebrating our 75th wedding anniversary. I’ll be looking for another diamond ring.

SHARYL SEWARD

Rogers