Article suggests eclipse path may not stretch as far across Effingham
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — We’re less than a week away from totality in some parts of Central Illinois, but a new web article from Forbes is challenging the upcoming eclipse’s path.
Now, people may be wondering if their viewing parties will be affected.
In the article, the author says maps gauging the path of the sun are using incorrect measurements.
Eastern Illinois University professor emeritus David Linton and retired director of the Staerkel Planetarium said it may be throwing shade on the real story of the eclipse.
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“I thought when I saw the article that you sent me, I thought that was an April 1st, April fool’s joke,” Linton said. “A big elaborate prank.”
The web article posted on Forbes.com is claiming the sun has an inaccurate measurement. The author said the sun’s width used in eclipse maps is slightly off.
“This was suggesting that it was about 0.03% less than previously identified,” said Linton.
He said after a little digging the article seems to be authentic, and Leake agreed.
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“It does seem to be legitimate,” said Leake. “It kind of bothers me that NASA hasn’t talked about this. It’s really just one guy who is, I’ve never heard of the guy, but they say he’s an eclipse expert.”
Leake said cities on the border of the eclipse’s totality will be affected by the new measurement. If it were to be true, Effingham is one of those cities.
“Here, the difference is only about 1,800 feet,” Leake said. “So, it’s not a lot, but I suppose if your eclipse track is running right through the middle of downtown, that could be that could be something substantial.”
Since cities like Effingham and Paris lay just on the edge of totality, the amount of time people get to enjoy the eclipse will be less than if they were to travel a little farther south.
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“So even if that line’s a little bit fuzzy, again, the center lines in the same spot and you want to try to be as close to that as you can,” Leake said.
Linton said the article on Forbes didn’t seem to be peer reviewed. So, we’ll have to see what the physicists say about it.
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