KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A total solar eclipse will take place on Monday, April 8 and East Tennessee is getting ready.
Some East Tennessee schools will dismiss students early to see the partial solar eclipse at home. According to NASA, the eclipse is expected to start around 1:49 p.m. EST, reaching its maximum at around 3:07 p.m.
What do I need to know?
The total eclipse will be the last one visible from the U.S. until 2044. East Tennessee, however, will experience a partial solar eclipse.
Even during a partial eclipse, the sun will be very bright. NASA said to remember to wear sunscreen, a hat and protective clothes to prevent skin damage.
While watching the eclipse, NASA said it's not safe to look directly at the sun without eye protection. Viewing any part of the sun through a lens, binoculars or a telescope without special solar-filtered glasses will cause severe eye injury.
So what can kids do to get ready for the big day? Many safe and fun art-infused activities will make viewing the solar eclipse experience memorable.
Fun Activities
- Create your own constellation projector
- Make a pinhole viewing box
- Make eclipse paper masks
- Creating eclipse chalk art
- Making a pinhole solar eclipse viewer
- Making an eclipse in a cup
- Discovering the cosmic coincidence
Resources
- NASA
- Life With Moore Learning
- Sky & Telescope: The Essential Guide to Astronomy
- Exploratorium
- Playground Parkbench: Where Savvy Moms Share