More Meanings of the Path to Totality This Week

Clevelanders can hardly breathe with all the excitement of baseball’s opening day and the total solar eclipse occurring at the same time, April 8, 3:13 p.m. And, in between, the Womens’ NCAA Final Four taking place at our own Rocket Mortgage Field House from April 5 through 7. We are awash with anticipation and excitement! Picture the whole population – which means thousands into millions counting the suburbs – which will be like children on Christmas.

Newspapers and TV news networks are flooding consumers with information on driving into town these days. The Guardians, our MLB team, are opening certain gates adjoining the outfield at the time the eclipse will occur so fans can get a better view outside. Remember, Cleveland’s opening day has historically been the best attended in MLB and there’s no reason to think otherwise this year, despite the draw of the eclipse or perhaps in addition to it. All kinds of parking strategies are mapped out for citizens because an influx of out-of-towners is expected to visit in order to see a total eclipse. Cleveland is one of the few major cities where the “Path of Totality,” as it is called, will occur.

In between these days is the Womens’ Final Four and already tickets appear to be sold out, or close to it, with astronomical prices. Add this crowd to the eclipse and maybe even the ballgame and whew! you have a tsunami of people!! Oh, I forgot to mention the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame which also draws this age group for sure.

Back to the eclipse. I was traveling from El Salvador to Cleveland in the summer of 1991 when not long after takeoff, a solar eclipse occurred. The captain warned us it would be happening, and I had witnessed people preparing for it in that poor little country prior to my leaving. But when it occurred while we were in flight, I recalled having a very eerie feeling. In the middle of the day the sunlight was extinguished like God blowing out a massive candle over the Earth. No one on the plane spoke. The lights went on and it looked as if we were flying in the night. We were relieved when the sun appeared.

This eclipse is the first in seven years in the U.S. and that might not sound awesome to you, but it is still unusual because we don’t always see a total eclipse, where the moon blocks the sun totally in certain places along its path. According to scientists, the moon is 400 times smaller than the sun and 400 times closer to us. Thus, when moon and sun align, they appear to be the same size. This movement will start in the U.S. at 2:27 and end at 3:33 EST. It will arrive in Cleveland at 3:13 EST. Bees will stop buzzing. Birds will stop chirping. Pets will act confused. Even plants will diminish photosynthesis and not take water. And we humans will be amazed.

Scientific mysteries continue to challenge us through eclipses. The 1919 eclipse confirmed Einstein’s theory of relativity and helium was discovered. But total eclipses remain impossible to predict beyond the next 1,000 years. It is mathematically impossible. The next total eclipse to appear in the U.S. will occur on August 22, 2044. Mark your calendars!!! NASA will fly instruments on planes to capture images and contribute to studying how sunlight affects the earth. Ham operators will beam signals to see how solar distances affect communications. Some scientists will record sounds from wildlife and how it is affected. We have extant charts and diagrams from the Babylonians, ancient Chinese, and hosts of other civilizations that have studied eclipses and yet we continue to plumb mysteries about it. 

It is really cool that the chief of Cleveland’s John Glenn NASA Research Center will sing the national anthem for the ballgame. Her name is Ra-Deon Sledge and she is a former member of a Cleveland R&B Group. A thundering C130 Hercules will fly over the stadium in opening ceremonies. The sky, research, and music all combined for a celebratory mood. It is a thrill.  

Reflection

This is a beautiful event to reflect on the marvels of God’s creation. If you feel energetic, go through the whole Bible and notice the times you find metaphors for the sun and moon. The Palestinian Jews reverenced nature because they allowed it to speak to them. The sun and moon were literally their ‘clocks,’ their timepieces for living. I love the references to the ‘red moon,’ or ‘blood moon,’ usually an ominous warning of bad things to come. How often do we refer to a ‘blue moon,’ or ‘harvest moon?’ You might find considerable references in the Book of Psalms.

See if you can create a prayer out of your reading. A prayer that lifts your heart to praise for the wonders of our universe and the many other universes “out there.” You will find yourself charged with joy if you do this. It’s almost as if star dust was sprinkled all over you!!!

I will be observing the eclipse with great joy—while I listen to my beloved Guardians at play. And I will cheer for Caitlin Clark and the Hawkeyes in between. How will you celebrate all these wonders?

Of course, I’ll think of you, my dear readers, and wish you could be in Cleveland if you’re elsewhere!