Tri-Cities excitement builds ahead of solar eclipse

Terry Craig
·2 min read

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – A total solar eclipse will take over the skies across the United States on Monday.

It’s a rare event that the average person may only see about five times in their life. The Kingsport Public Library is using the event to educate the community.

Assistant Library Manager Casey Applebaum said the library will have two solar telescopes from the Bays Mountain Planetarium available during the eclipse. Applebaum said that the library will also provide eclipse glasses as well.

“We’ll have two telescopes that you can utilize and actually look at the sun,” Applebaum said. “You can see sunspots, you can see solar flares.”

The Tri-Cities will see roughly 85% of the eclipse, and portions of southwest Virginia could see as much as 90% of the eclipse.

LIST: Solar eclipse viewing parties in the Tri-Cities

ETSU Physics and Astronomy Professor Dr. Gary Henson said that any view outside the full path of totality makes a night and day difference.

“You won’t see a dark sky and you won’t see stars or planets pop out,” Henson said. “You might notice it seems like a cloud passed in front of the sun.”

The path of totality in the United States will begin in Texas, curve through several Midwest states, and end in Maine.

Although our area won’t feel the full impact of the total eclipse, Henson said that it’s still important to enjoy the spectacle.

“It’s an event of nature to see the moon blocking the sunlight,” Henson said.

There’s a chance of clouds on Monday. Cloudy weather could concern those eager to catch a glimpse of the eclipse.

ECLIPSE: What you need to know ahead of the solar eclipse

Henson said big cumulus clouds with gaps between them shouldn’t cause too much concern. However, a hazy, overcast day could prevent a view of the eclipse.

“If there’s a hazy sky or kind of overcast or layers of clouds, that’s bad for everyone,” Henson said.

Applebaum is hoping for clear skies for this rare opportunity.

“Opportunities to utilize telescopes that we don’t often get the chance to utilize and actually look at the surface of the sun is just a really cool thing to see,” Henson said.

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