Oak Ridge Today

Great American Eclipse in Oak Ridge Schools

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Glenwood Elementary School students worked with OBED Park Rangers and practiced safe use of a telescope for viewing during the total solar eclipse on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. (Photo courtesy Oak Ridge Schools)

Glenwood Elementary School students worked with Obed park rangers and practiced safe use of a telescope for viewing during the total solar eclipse on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. (Photo courtesy Oak Ridge Schools)

 

Submitted by Oak Ridge Schools

The Great American Eclipse was unique in Oak Ridge, as we were on the coveted path of totality. Some solar eclipse fanatics will travel thousands of miles and spend thousands of dollars just to get themselves into The Path. We took advantage of this rare opportunity that came to our back yard for the breathtaking experience of totality with our students and staff.

We had an interesting challenge, though. The edge of the path of totality cut through town in such a way that four of our schools would only experience a partial eclipse if students and staff stayed on campus. The total solar eclipse has several attributes that are not visible outside the path of totality, such as the sudden appearance of stars and planets, the solar corona becoming visible, and a temperature drop. To ensure all of our students had the opportunity for this rich total eclipse experience, we provided transportation to move everyone who wanted to participate into The Path. [Read more…]

National Park Service offering free eclipse glasses, viewers for total solar eclipse

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The National Park Service started distributing free eclipse glasses and free eclipse viewers at the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge during the total solar eclipse on Monday, August 21. At right is Kendra Ownby, cultural resources program manager for the Manhattan Project National Historical Park, Big South Fork River and Recreational Area, and Obed Wild and Scenic River. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The National Park Service started distributing free eclipse glasses and free eclipse viewers at the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge during the total solar eclipse on Monday, August 21. At right is Kendra Owenby, cultural resources program manager for the Manhattan Project National Historical Park, Big South Fork River and Recreational Area, and Obed Wild and Scenic River. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The National Park Service is distributing free eclipse glasses and free eclipse viewers at two viewing sites in Oak Ridge during the total solar eclipse today (Monday, August 21).

Several people were lined up for the free glasses by about 7:30 a.m. Monday at one of the viewing  sites, the American Museum of Science and Energy and the Manhattan Project National Historical Park Visitor Center at 300 South Tulane Avenue in central Oak Ridge.

“I figured there would be a pretty long line,” said Thomas Metheney, an Anderson County resident. He said he may stay at AMSE for the eclipse. He recalls a solar eclipse when he was in elementary school in the area in the mid-1980s.

The National Park Service said it is giving out about 1,500 pairs of glasses at AMSE and will have more at its other viewing site, East Tennessee Technology Park (the former K-25 site) at 200 Heritage Center Boulevard in west Oak Ridge. As previously reported by Oak Ridge Today, the distribution of eclipse glasses and viewers starts at 11 a.m. at both locations. The Park Service is giving out one pair of glasses per person in line. [Read more…]

More on Clinton schools’ decision to close on Eclipse Day

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Information from WYSH Radio

As you are no doubt aware, there will be a total solar eclipse on Monday, August 21, with the path of totality expected to pass over East Tennessee. Several area school systems will be closed that day, including those in Anderson County and the city of Clinton.

Originally, the school system had planned to keep schools open and allow parents to join their students to view the eclipse with their teachers to take advantage of the unique educational opportunity, but that has changed over the past week or so, as Director of Schools Kelly Johnson explained Wednesday morning, with many parents citing safety concerns associated with viewing an eclipse and a desire to have more of a role in determining the level of their student’s involvement. [Read more…]

Anderson County, Clinton schools to close for solar eclipse on Monday

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Anderson County and Clinton schools will be closed over safety concerns during the total solar eclipse that will cross the United States on Monday, August 21.

“After receiving feedback from teachers, staff, and concern over safety from the media, Anderson County Schools will be closed on Monday, (August) 21, Eclipse Day,” a notice posted by the county school system said.

“Due to the abundance of safety concerns being expressed, CCS (Clinton City Schools) will be closed on Monday, August 21, for the eclipse,” the city school system said in an online post. “This has been a difficult decision to make, but we want parents to have input on their child’s level of participation on this special day. We will be sending home eclipse glasses with each child on Friday afternoon. Please use these based on your personal discretion. Special activities will occur this week in classrooms to make this a meaningful learning experience for our students. We appreciate your understanding and support.” [Read more…]

Library giving out 500 pairs of eclipse glasses on Monday

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Kathy McNeilly, second from right, director of the Oak Ridge Public Library, and library employees presented a pair of solar eclipse glasses to City Manager Mark Watson, center, on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017. Also pictured from left to right are Martha Lux, Teresa Fortney, and Elaine Keener. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

Kathy McNeilly, second from right, director of the Oak Ridge Public Library, and library employees presented a pair of solar eclipse glasses to City Manager Mark Watson, center, on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017. Also pictured from left to right are Martha Lux, Teresa Fortney, and Elaine Keener. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

 

The Oak Ridge Public Library will give out 500 pairs of eclipse glasses to library patrons on Monday, August 14. The glasses will be given out while supplies last, the library staff said. A valid library card or photo identification must be shown, and there is a limit of one pair of glasses per library account, the library staff said.

The solar eclipse is August 21. Oak Ridge is one of the few cities in the path of totality in Tennessee. It is estimated that the total solar eclipse in Oak Ridge will last 27 to 31 seconds at approximately 2:33 p.m. EDT August 21.

It’s the first solar eclipse over the continental United States since 1979. [Read more…]

Former astronaut to speak during eclipse activities at AMSE on Saturday, Aug. 19

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A former astronaut originally from Jamestown, Tennessee, will share stories and answer questions regarding his experience as a payload specialist aboard a NASA Space Shuttle mission in 1997 as part of solar eclipse-related activities at the American Museum of Science and Energy on Saturday, August 19.

Roger Crouch will be at AMSE at 1 p.m. August 19.

The activities at AMSE that day are in preparation for the total solar eclipse occurring on Monday, August 21. They’re scheduled from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Hands-on “Explore Science: Earth & Space” activities will allow visitors to explore the eclipse phenomenon, a press release said. The activities were developed and distributed nationwide by the National Informal STEM Education Network (NISE Net) and used in more than 250 museums during the spring and summer of 2017. [Read more…]

Free eclipse glasses for Oak Ridge Public Library members on Aug. 14

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Eclipse Glasses

Bring your library card to the Oak Ridge Public Library on August 14 and you can receive a free pair of eclipse viewing glasses.

There is a limit of one pair per account, and the glasses will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, call the library at (865) 425-3455.

The partial eclipse will generally start in Oak Ridge at 1:04 p.m. August 21, and totality will take place at 2:33 p.m. It has been estimated that the total solar eclipse in Oak Ridge will last 27 to 31 seconds. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Schools will transport students, provide glasses for solar eclipse

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Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown

Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown

 

Oak Ridge Schools will transport students and provide eclipse glasses for the solar eclipse on Monday, August 21. It will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many people.

The path of totality for the solar eclipse cuts through Oak Ridge, according to information provided to the Oak Ridge Board of Education for a meeting on Monday, August 7.

Because the path of totality cuts through Oak Ridge, half of the city’s schools are in the path of totality and half are not, the information said.

“We believe that every Oak Ridge student should have the opportunity to learn about the eclipse and to experience the total eclipse,” the information said. “Therefore, we will be transporting students from the east side of Oak Ridge to the west side, with parental permission.”

The solar eclipse of 2017 is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many people, the information said. [Read more…]

Eclipse 2017: What you need to know about safety

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Paul Lewis

Paul Lewis

By Lola Alapo/University of Tennessee

T minus 18 days. On Monday, August 21, a total solar eclipse—when the disk of the moon completely covers the sun—will be visible in the United States along a path from central Oregon through Tennessee and on to South Carolina.

In Tennessee, many points to the south and southwest of Knoxville will experience a total eclipse. Knoxville, however, will have only a 99.75 percent partial eclipse.

UT experts are providing tips on how East Tennesseans can view the eclipse safely and protect their eyes, wherever they’re viewing. You can click on any of the links below to learn more.

Related: Everything You Need to Know about Eclipse 2017

The university will host a Solar Sun Day from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 6, on the roof of the Nielsen Physics Building. The event is free and open to the public. Participants will observe the sun through telescopes and will learn about the August 21 total eclipse and how to build devices for viewing the sun indirectly. They also will see an eclipse simulation in UT’s planetarium and receive a free pair of solar glasses. [Read more…]

UT Arboretum in Oak Ridge will be viewing site for solar eclipse

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Solar eclipse (Photo courtesy UT Arboretum Society)

Solar eclipse (Photo courtesy UT Arboretum Society)

 

The University of Tennessee Arboretum in Oak Ridge will be a viewing site for the solar eclipse on August 21.

It is estimated that the total solar eclipse in Oak Ridge will last 27 to 31 seconds at approximately 2:33 p.m. EDT August 21, a press release said.

The public is invited to view the eclipse in a clear area above the arboretum’s auditorium, the press release said. Gates will open at 1:30 p.m. for cars to park near the site. Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center staff will direct patrons to walk to the area at the top of the hill.

The public is invited to bring chairs, blankets, and viewing devices, the press release said. Normal arboretum rules will be followed including no pets and no picnicking. People are encouraged to bring water. Restrooms will be available in the auditorium building.

For this first solar eclipse over the continental United States since 1979, Oak Ridge is one of the few cities in the path of totality in Tennessee. [Read more…]

See solar eclipse path maps by NASA, National Weather Service, Washington Post

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Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown

Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown

 

On Monday, August 21, a total solar eclipse will blot out the sun starting at 2:31 p.m. for viewers in areas within an hour’s drive of Oak Ridge.

The 70-mile-wide path of totality will extend from Oregon to South Carolina, passing through Nashville, Murfreesboro, Sparta, Cookeville, Crossville, Sweetwater, Athens, and Clingman’s Dome, contributor Carolyn Krause wrote in this story.

The National Weather Service in Morristown has published a map showing the eclipse path and showing the duration of the total solar eclipse in parts of East Tennessee. See that map above. Many locations will see more than two minutes and 30 seconds of totality, the Weather Service said.

Another map, which was published by the Washington Post, is interactive and allows you to follow the path of the solar eclipse across the United States from Oregon to South Carolina, with details about points along the way, including Nashville and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See that Washington Post map here. [Read more…]

Total solar eclipse Aug. 21 in Oak Ridge area path

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The path of totality for the solar eclipse in the United States on Aug. 21, 2017. (Submitted photo)

The path of totality for the solar eclipse in the United States on Aug. 21, 2017. (Submitted photo)

 

By Carolyn Krause

Note: This story was updated at 12 p.m. July 30.

On Monday, August 21, a total solar eclipse will blot out the sun starting at 2:31 p.m. for viewers in areas within an hour’s drive of Oak Ridge.

The 70-mile-wide path of totality will extend from Oregon to South Carolina, passing through Nashville, Murfreesboro, Sparta, Cookeville, Crossville, Sweetwater, Athens, and Clingman’s Dome. Oak Ridge will not quite be in the path of totality. The sky over our area will gradually darken starting at 1:03 p.m. It will be plunged into total darkness for up to two minutes and 40 seconds, depending on where you are. The sky should brighten at about 4 p.m.

Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown

Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown

 

See a map by NASA and a link to a Washington Post interactive map in this story.

The last time the moon’s shadows in a total solar eclipse crossed our nation from the Pacific to the Atlantic was almost a century ago. On June 8, 1918, the path of totality ran from Washington State to Florida. The next total solar eclipse to cross the U.S. will occur on April 8, 2024. [Read more…]