Community Corner

May 20 Eclipse Could be Eclipsed by Clouds

Sky watchers could see a partial eclipse as Sunday draws to a close, but only if incoming rain and clouds can hold off until after sunset.

A solar eclipse is always a spectacular site, even if it's not a full eclipse, and Wisconsin will have a chance to witness it as the sun sets on Sunday.

We will see about 50 minutes of a cosmic disappearing act – a partial solar eclipse – before the sun drops below the horizon at sunset (8:14 p.m.)  However, should the forecast bear to be accurate, it may be the clouds that get in the way of the sun, and not the moon, that prevents us from seeing it. 

Check out this video for skywatching tips.

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According to an article from Yahoo!News, the eclipse is named the 'ring of fire' because the moon is near apogee at the moment — the most distant point in its orbit around our planet, making it too small in the sky to cover the sun's face completely. So the most optimum places will be treated to an annular solar eclipse, in which a ring of sunlight blazes around the moon's circumference.

Outside of our area and again weather permitting, the annular eclipse will be visible from parts of East Asia, the Pacific region and western North America. 

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Wherever you'll be, be careful. NEVER look at the sun — either with the naked eye or through a telescope or binoculars — without proper filters or other equipment. Serious and permanent eye damage, including blindness, can result.


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