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Everything You Need To Know About The Solar Eclipse

Author Dave & Chuck the Freak
The Solar Eclipse happens today! (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Today is the day we’ve been waiting for–the solar eclipse should be visible today! What’s with all the hype? How is this eclipse any different from previous eclipses? What even is an eclipse?

There are many questions ahead of the big event. Let’s dive into the basics with everything you need to know about the eclipse!

Everything You Need To Know About The Solar Eclipse

First, let’s go over what a Solar Eclipse is. It’s hard to get excited about something you’re totally unfamiliar with, after all. A solar eclipse occurs when the sun, the moon, and the earth are all aligned–or in what’s called “syzygy.” You can look up how to pronounce that one. Once they all align, the moon casts a shadow over the earth.

So, will you be able to see this Solar Eclipse? You should be able to! Everyone in the continental United States should be able to see at least a partial eclipse–as long as the weather cooperates. You can check out a map of its occurrence here or another one here. The path of the Total Eclipse (the best possible view) will run from southcentral Texas, through Arkansas, over Indianapolis and Cleveland, then Buffalo, and Maine. So, if you’re in those areas you should be in luck. People are likely flooding to these areas to experience the best possible views.

What can you expect with the Solar Eclipse? It can cause a sunset-like glow in every direction which is called a “360-degree sunset.” It’s caused by light from the sun in areas outside of the path of the Total Eclipse. However, it won’t last long! So, it’s best to be ready and prepared.

Additionally, a town called “Eclipse” in Texas will see a 94% partial Solar Eclipse. Odd coincidence! I bet that town is going to see a boom in revenue for the Solar Eclipse. They’ve been waiting for this, and now it’s time to cash in.

How long will the eclipse last? Well, that depends on your location. The longest duration of the eclipse is supposed to happen near Torreon, Mexico and should be 4 minutes and 28 seconds long. Even weirder? That’s only one second longer than Bonnie Tyler’s hit song, “Total Eclipse Of The Heart!” What!? Weird. Most places will see some of the eclipse for roughly three-and-a-half to four minutes.

News Report From The Total Solar Eclipse In 1979

This isn’t the only Solar Eclipse that’s happened. Back in 1979 there was another one that was only visible to a few states in the Pacific Northwest. However, other states were still pumped up and excited about the phenomenon. Check out a video of that report below. A lot has changed since 1979, but people remain excited about an eclipse.

@nbcdfw

Forty-five years ago on Feb. 26, there was a solar eclipse across the United States 🌙 ☀️ 😱 NBC DFW pulled a story from the archives of a reporter at @SMU’s campus in Dallas, Texas on that day. We are just weeks away from the highly anticipated 2024 total solar eclipse on April 8. Totality will last for 3 minutes and 51 seconds in Dallas, Texas. Are you ready for it? #totalsolareclipse #dallas #eclipse #dfw #nbcdfw #nbc5 #texas #dallastexas #smu #sun #moon #totality #blackout #2024 #1979

♬ Mysterious and sad BGM(1120058) - S and N

What To Do If You Can’t See The Eclipse

Bad weather is going to spoil the fun for someone. It’s inevitable. There’s no way that the entire country is going to have clear skies today. So, if it happens to you that doesn’t mean you need to panic.

There will be a live eclipse feed from the Path of Totality. So, if you’re unable to see it for yourself you can check out NASA’s Live YouTube Stream. The Virtual Telescope Project will also be showing it and TimeAndDate.com, as well. There are many options! Hopefully, you’ll be able to see it for yourself.

See How The Eclipse Will Look Near You

Eager and can’t wait for the Solar Eclipse? You can enter your Zip Code and discover how the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse will look in your city! It even gives the times of the eclipse and more! Don’t like what you see? Find a zip code with a better one and plan on going there for the eclipse! It looks like between 3:12pm and 3:14pm (Eastern) will be prime viewing hours.

You can input your Zip Code here to see what it will look like near you!

Didn’t buy any devices to watch the eclipse? Make your own viewing devices at home!

Dave & Chuck The Freak's 5 Song Ultimate Eclipse Playlist

Enjoy the eclipse today with Dave & Chuck The Freak’s ultimate eclipse playlist. If you add these 5 tracks to your playlist today, you’re going to greatly increase the viewing experience for everyone.

These are a collection of songs perfect for today. After that? It’s not going to be as useful. Here are the 5 songs we suggest for your playlist tonight.

Dave & Chuck The Freak’s 5 Song Ultimate Eclipse Playlist

Dave mentioned that he’s going to be watching the eclipse with some friends at a Wine Party while enjoying some refreshing vino. You know what will go well with that? Some nice tunes. Dave’s friends are going to greatly appreciate this playlist, and maybe yours will, too!

As we talked about on the show today, there are a lot of songs about eclipses–however, there should be more. Every band should have a song about an eclipse or a song that mentions one for this very moment. Some of these songs (which we’ll discuss below) are blowing up again even after being dormant for decades.

Thankfully, we were able to put a collection of 5 songs together that are perfect for watching the eclipse. All you’ll need are these 5 songs. They’ll set the mood and provide the perfect atmosphere to enhance the evening.

Of course, with so many songs about eclipses it’s going to be hard to include them all. We have to still get a little creative for a list. There are other Playlists For The Eclipse online, but this one is tailored by us for us. Just like our specific St. Paddy’s Day Playlist. We’re specifically targeting Dave’s wine party with these songs. It’s going to be an evening Dave and his friends will never forget.

Chuck claims he isn’t too excited about that, but once you hit play on this playlist everything will change. Let’s check out what songs made the cut. Are we missing one? Let us know!

  • Total Eclipse Of The Heart - Bonnie Tyler

    Look, we had to add this one. It’s an Essential Eclipse song for your Eclipse Playlist. This song is skyrocketing in popularity and searches with the pending eclipse. Bonnie Tyler and her people are raking it in right now. This is why every band should have a song about some sort of natural disaster. You never know when you might be able to cash in.

  • Eclipse - John Denver

    We made the mistake of playing this on the show today. It might have put you asleep. It sounds exactly like every other John Denver song ever made. We thought it was a different one before realizing it just sounds like all of his other stuff. It may be slow, but it’s perfect for Dave’s wine party.

  • Fade To Black - Metallica

    Now, we’re getting a little creative. Why not play “Fade To Black” while watching the sun fade to black. It’s incredibly fitting. If you time it right it could greatly enhance your viewing experience. Hey, it’s better than John Denver! At least it’s a good way to break up the John Denver and Bonnie Tyler. You’re welcome.

  • Here Comes The Sun - The Beatles

    Here Comes The Sun…and there goes the sun. You can enjoy some wordplay by playing this song at your Eclipse Party. Everyone likes some clever wordplay. This could be a great go-to song for when the eclipse is happening, or as it’s ending. The timing is totally up to you with this playlist.

  • Dark Side Of The Moon - Pink Floyd

    You know what’s better than playing the song “Dark Side Of The Moon” during an eclipse? Playing the whole album. Not only will it match up with The Wizard Of Oz, it will match up with the solar eclipse if you do it correctly! Plus, this way you can keep the playlist going for a long time. The eclipse will only last minutes, but the party can go on much longer with some Pink Floy in the mix.

Cort Freeman was born and raised in Metro Detroit. He was named Clarkston High School 2009 Class Clown 13 years after graduating. Totally normal thing to happen. That’s thanks to his time spent as an Intern at Comedy Central and Social Media Correspondent for The Colbert Report. Cort has done comedy across the country, both standing up and sitting down. When he’s not trying to make you laugh on-air and online, he’s probably at home enjoying his favorite shows like Seinfeld, South Park, and The Office. He’s also totally uncomfortable writing about himself in the third person. Cort enjoys writing about comedy, food, sports, and entertainment. So, basically anything and everything.

Will you be watching the Solar Eclipse today?

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