Around the Bluhmin’ Town

By

Judy Bluhm

Well, are you ready to get into syzygy? That’s when the Sun, Moon and Earth are aligned, resulting in a total eclipse. Everyone in the United States will get to thrill to at least a partial eclipse. We in Arizona will get to witness the partial (cloud formation permitting), when things might get a little dark and wildlife could act a bit strange. Still, we will miss out on the true celestial spectacle – a diamond ring, the Sun’s amazing corona, glorious colors in the sky and being able to see stars during the daytime.

Folks will travel from all over the world to get a chance to see the wonder of a total eclipse. Texas estimates that over one million people will flock to the Texas Hill Country. One economist claims that Texas could experience the most profitable few minutes in Texas history due to the influx of visitors. The path of the eclipse moves over highly populated cities, with 32 million possibly looking up at the sky on April 8. This could be the most watched eclipse in history. The next solar eclipse over the U.S. continent will require a twenty-year wait. So, see it now!

When the sun is blocked by the moon, nature pays attention. Temperatures can drop by as much as fifteen degrees, the air becomes still, birds stop chirping and begin heading to their nests. Bats may come out. Stars can appear in the sky. Darkness ensues in an eerie display of remarkable strangeness. No wonder our ancestors thought the world was coming to an end during an eclipse!

The total solar eclipse is said to be nature’s most spectacular feat. Cultures all over the world have developed myths to explain what is happening during an eclipse. In China, a dragon eats part of the sun. Native Americans thought a devilish black squirrel was taking a bite out of the sun. It was once believed that the Great Plague and Great Fire of London were caused by a solar eclipse.

We have our own pop eclipse mystery to figure out. When Carly Simon wrote, “You’re So Vain,” in 1970, there was a total solar eclipse happening in Nova Scotia. So, we are still wondering who she was singing about, in that famous line, “You flew your Learjet up to Nova Scotia to see the total eclipse of the sun.”

This might be the greatest show on Earth that we should never look at! Wear those goofy, special eclipse protectors (sunglasses won’t work). According to ophthalmologists, you can look at the sun during an eclipse and it won’t hurt, but it is actually burning the cells of your retina. And once they are burned, there is no fix for it. Dear Readers, do not stare at the eclipse, it’s a sight for sore eyes.

All kinds of shenanigans happen around and during a solar eclipse. Marriage proposals, weddings, babies being born (not sure how this is timed), trips, schools closing and “sky gazing” parties will be in full force. On “Eclipse Day,” look up to the heavens. Magic is coming.

Judy Bluhm is a writer and a local realtor. Contact Judy at [email protected] or visit www.aroundthebluhmintown.com.