Highlands • August 18-21
Highlands is going all out with a weekend of festivities focused on getting “Totally Eclipsed at 4118,” referring to the town’s elevation. The fun kicks off with live music at the Town Square during the Friday Night Live concert series. Saturday puts forth the farmers market in the morning and a 5K Twilight Run in the evening. On Monday, an eclipse viewing party takes place in Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, with music and kids activities taking place from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Locations and times vary; free; (828) 526-2118.
MONDAY AUGUST 21, 2017
INSIGHTS FROM THE EXPERTS
Local physics professors
on what to expect from the eclipse
on what to expect from the eclipse
When it comes to watching the eclipse, experts agree that safety is the most important thing.
Once you’ve taken the proper visual precautions, here are the highlights to look for. During the short minutes of total eclipse, many celestial features normally visible only in the night sky will appear. According to Western Carolina physics professor Enrique Gomez, who has witnessed two full eclipses, totality “is an intense experience because of the dramatic change of light in the landscape and the sky throughout the event. Effectively, it will be night in the middle of the day, and several planets will be visible with the naked eye,” including Jupiter, Venus, and Mars. Bright stars, including Sirius, Spica, and Betelgeuse, will also shine through. What’s more, the temperature will drop by as much as 10 degrees, birds will fall silent, and other animals will react uniquely.
Although much of our region will experience 99 percent totality, UNC Asheville physics professor Brian Dennison recommends traveling to the zone of full totality if you can. The corona—the aura of plasma surrounding the sun that will be visible during totality—“is the most beautiful thing to see during an eclipse,” he says. And, he adds, “because of the current distance between the moon and the Earth, which is increasing due to tidal effects, eclipses are really good right now. Enjoy them while you have them.”
THERE GOES THE SUN:
TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSES 101
When the moon’s orbit positions it just so between the sun and the Earth, it blocks the sunshine that normally reaches our big blue marble. In a total solar eclipse, the moon will gradually shift in front of the sun until it covers all but the sun’s corona—its wispy outer atmosphere. Some places in WNC will experience the full eclipse, while parts outside that path will still enjoy almost 100 percent of it. So even if you can’t be in the darkest places in the region, you will still be able to witness much of this rare occurrence.
Phases of Total Solar Eclipse
FIRST CONTACT
The moon starts to overlap the Sun; the eclipse begins.
SECOND CONTACT
The moon covers the entire disc of the Sun; total eclipse begins.
TOTALITY
The max phase of a total solar eclipse; only the Sun’s corona is visible.
THIRD CONTACT
The Moon starts moving away, and parts of the Sun’s disc reappear.
FORTH CONTACT
The Moon stops overlapping the Sun; the eclipse ends.
SAFETY TIPS!
Looking directly at the sun is unsafe except during the brief total phase of a solar eclipse (“totality”), when the moon entirely blocks the sun’s bright face. The only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses” or hand-held solar viewers. Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun.
- Always inspect your solar filter before use. If scratched or damaged, discard it. Read and follow any instructions printed on or packaged with the filter. Always supervise children using solar filters.
- Stand still and cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses or solar viewer before looking up at the bright sun. To remove your filter safely, turn away from the sun first, before removing.
- Do not look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or other optical device. Similarly, do not look at the sun through a camera, a telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while using your eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewer— the concentrated solar rays will damage the filter and enter your eye(s), causing serious injury. Seek expert advice from an astronomer before using a solar filter with a camera, a telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device.
- If you are within the path of totality (visit eclipse2017.nasa.gov for an interactive map showing the path), REMOVE YOUR SOLAR FILTER ONLY WHEN THE MOON COMPLETELY COVERS THE SUN’S FACE AND IT SUDDENLY GETS QUITE DARK. Experience totality; then, as soon as the bright sun begins to reappear, replace your solar viewer to glance at the remaining partial phases.
EVENTS
Jackson County Prime Viewing Spots
JACKSON COUNTY
Sylva • Get an elevated view of the eclipse from Whiteside Mountain, located between Cashiers and Highlands o of U.S. 64. It’s a moderate 2.5-mile hike to reach the spectacular 700-foot cli with lofty views. In Sylva, take a 3.5- mile hike to the top of Pinnacle Park for a 270-degree view of the sky, or keep going an additional mile to Black Rock for another beautiful lookout point during the eclipse.
Macon County Prime Viewing Spots
MACON COUNTY
Franklin • Situated at 5,342 feet, and with views of the Great Smokies, Tennessee, and Georgia, Wayah Bald and its namesake lookout tower is a lofty vantage point for eclipse viewing. However, if you go, take care to arrive early or plan to hike the three miles from the Wilson Lick Ranger Station. Some of the roads are one lane and access will be limited. In downtown Franklin, the Chamber of Commerce is inviting the public to gather in its parking lot (at 98 Hyatt Rd.) for the big event and will be providing eclipse glasses for a small donation.
Maggie Valley
TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY
Though it will experience only a 99 percent total eclipse, Maggie Valley offers popular hiking spots like The Devil’s Courthouse and Waterrock Knob, and Rendezvous Restaurant and Tiki Bar is hosting an Eclipse Viewing Party, where live music and specials will commemorate the near totality.
Marianna Black Library
SWAIN COUNTY
Bryson City • August 19
Experience the universe with digital video projections in an inflatable planetarium dome. Corner Academy & Rector St.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; free; (828) 488-3681.
Moonlight Run
JACKSON COUNTY
Cullowhee • August 20
Lace up your kicks (and don a headlamp) for this two-mile fun run in the dark that will start and end at the Jackson County Parks and Recreation Center. 88 Cullowhee Mountain Rd.; Sunday, 9 p.m.; free; (828) 293-3053.
Pre-Eclipse Programming at Murphy Art Center
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Murphy • August 4, 18 & 19
The MAC is paving the way for the eclipse with several special programs. On Friday, August 4, the center opens its All Things Solar Exhibit from 5-8 p.m., and at 6 p.m. will host an eclipse-viewing class. Friday, August 18, brings a Pre-Eclipse Welcome Party to the MAC, with more art, music, and snacks (also from 5-8 p.m.). And on Saturday, August 19, kids’ eclipse classes take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 33 Valley River Ave.; all events free, donations welcome; (828) 360-3038; www.valleyriverarts.com
Riverfront Park Eclipse Festivities
SWAIN COUNTY
Bryson City • Riverfront Park in Bryson City is ground zero for eclipse festivities. On Friday, families can enjoy a free movie on the grassy lawn. And on both Saturday and Sunday there will be live music in the park from 7-9 p.m.
Sapphire Valley Resort Total Eclipse Weekend
JACKSON COUNTY
Sapphire • August 18-21
Sapphire Valley Resort offers a home base for Jackson County’s eclipse festivities with discounted passes to the resort’s zip line, golf and FootGolf courses. On the day of the eclipse, live music will entertain throughout the day. Before the big moment, ascend the ski slope for an optimal view of the eclipse. Sapphire Valley Resort, 127 Cherokee Tr.; Monday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; lodging packages start at $125 per night; (828) 743-1162; www.dayoftotality.com
FUN FACTS
FOLKLORE
Korean folklore suggests that solar eclipses happen because mythical dogs are trying to steal the sun. In ancient China, a celestial dragon was thought to be munching on it, while Norse cultures blamed huge wolves and the Cherokee believed it was, instead, an enormous frog.
CALENDAR
PLAN AHEAD! Given WNC’s fortune as one of the ground zeros for regional eclipsing, it will pay to get to your viewing destination early, and keep in mind: • The Blue Ridge Parkway and many rural roads will be jammed up. • Most local hotel rooms and rental lodging will be booked. • In some areas, cell phone networks might be temporarily overwhelmed. • It's wise to bring extra food and water in case of unexpected delays.
SOLAR BABY
A popular misconception was that solar eclipses could be a danger to pregnant women and their unborn children, so in some cultures, young children and pregnant women were instructed to stay indoors during the blackout.
VIDEOS
The Night Sky - America's Total Solar Eclipse (August 21, 2017)
Fly over the Great American Eclipse
5 ways to safely view the 2017 total solar eclipse
NASA VIDEO: Get Ready for the 2017 Solar Eclipse
Total Solar Eclipse March 29, 2006 Anatalya, Turkey
Total Solar Eclipse in Svalbard 2015 (Crowd Reaction)
A Total Solar Eclipse IN the Heart of the Mountains
For most Western North Carolinians, it will be a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle, an encounter with one of the rarest of astronomical phenomena. Go ahead and clear your calendar for Monday, August 21—a day we’ll all remember as the Great American Eclipse of 2017.
At about 1:15 p.m. EST, a total solar eclipse will appear over Oregon, heading southeast across the nation so that, circa 2:30 p.m., it will glide through the westernmost parts of North Carolina before continuing on to the Charleston area and out to sea. In fact, WNC will offer some of the longest and best opportunities for witnessing the eclipse. That’s because the so-called “path of totality”—a 60-mile-wide swath wherein the eclipse is 100 percent complete, with the moon blocking out the entirety of the sun— is passing right through here. For as much as two minutes and 40 seconds, the area will be blanketed in an eerie yet stunning mid-day darkness. Prior to and after the main event, a total of three hours of partial eclipse will cast the mountains in surreal shadow. With our guide to where and how it’s best to take it all in, the eclipse will be a transformative and memorable milestone.