The Power of the Sun!
August 21st, 2017 at Culver, Oregon’s KOA campground, my friends and family witnessed the spectacular celestial event of the new moon crossing the path of our energy and life giving solar star, the sun.
The new moon’s first contact started to cover the sun at the 2 o’clock position and slowly traversed the brilliant orb exiting at the 8 o’clock position. It took a little more than 2 hours from beginning to end, however totality (complete coverage of the sun) lasted a few seconds more than a minute.
When the moon covered 80% of the sun, our ambient area still felt like broad daylight, but at 90% coverage, it felt like the beginning of sunset. However, we were all surprised by how bright it still was at 90% coverage.
When totality hit, stars came out as darkness come quickly, the birds became quiet, and Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Hood became more visible as the haze from the smoke no longer reflected the sun’s light obscuring them in daylight. It seemed like a moment of silence as we awed at the first diamond ring, then corona, then last diamond ring.
This intensity and power of solar energy and radiation being given off by our sun is awe inspiring warrants complete respect and appreciation. Although the sun gives us life as we know it, can harm our body armor (e.g., our skin) if allowed too much exposure. Enjoy and beware.
