A solar eclipse will scan across the United States on Monday, 8 April 2024. In a long stripe running from Texas to Maine, the ground track of totality will be a midda thrill for millions of viewers. Some of them have questions and the Internet, in its infinite wisdom has answers, many of which are wrong. The following are real questions with real answers.
Will it be safe to look directly at the sun? No.
It is never safe to look directly at the sun. Use certified eclipse glasses, not just cheap drugstore/internet glasses and not welder's glass, but filter-glasses that have been certified by a real agency.
Will my cell phone service be reduced or curtailed? No.
The solar eclipse involves the sun, the moon, and visible light. There is nothing that relates the sun, the moon, or visible light to cell phones. None. Carry on.
Will there be a Zombie Apocalypse triggered by the eclipse? No.
The last solar eclipse did not trigger one and this one will not, either. No eclipse has ever triggered Zombies. Ever.
Will there be the Rapture? No.
No eclipse has ever triggered the Rapture and this one will not.
Will there be earthquakes, rain of blood, locusts, or other natural disasters? No.
There is always a chance of earthquakes, volcanos, and other natural disasters, but if they happen, it will have nothing to do with the solar eclipse.
Will animals behave strangely during the totality? Yes.
Birds will go silent and other animals may show signs of sleepiness. This is well-documented from previous solar eclipses. Nature and life will return to normal as the local eclipse ends.
If you are in the path of totality - congratulations! Enjoy the show. Protect your eyes. If you are outside the path of totality, maybe next time. Maybe I will see you in 2044 or 2045!
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