A total eclipse is a sight to behold! A complete solar eclipse that sweeps across the entire United States only occurs every 99 years. The last one was in 1918. Nashville is the largest city in the path of the 2017 total solar eclipse. Music City (Nashville) is gearing up for this phenomenon. Don’t miss out!
Be there when the sun goes dark!
Solar Eclipse Details
The last time the total (complete) solar eclipse occurred over Nashville was in July 7, 1442, and July 29, 1478. The next total solar eclipse over Nashville won’t occur until Aug. 16, 2566.
Annual solar eclipses occur every year, but a total solar eclipse only happens when a new moon lines up in a direct line with the earth and sun. You can view complete solar eclipses by traveling to various locations around the globe.
Visually, the difference between an annual and total solar eclipse is that an annual eclipse looks like a bright ring with a dark middle. By comparison, with a total solar eclipse, you barely see the sun at all except as a faint ring, and the moon nearly covers the sun entirely. In fact, this is the only moment when it is safe to view the eclipse without solar glasses.
How Long Does the Eclipse Last?
If you are in the narrow path of where you see a total eclipse, the total phase lasts for about two minutes. But this is when you’re viewing it at the center of the path. The partial eclipse (time period when the moon is partially covering the sun) lasts around three hours for those viewing it at the center of the path.
When Exactly Does the Eclipse Take Place?
Monday August 21, 2017
Partial eclipse starts: 11:58 a.m. CDT
Beginning of totality eclipse: 1:27 p.m. CDT
End of totality eclipse: 1:29 p.m. CDT (duration: 1 minute 55 seconds)
Partial eclipse ends: 2:54 p.m. CDT
Ways to Watch the Solar Eclipse in Nashville
You have so many exciting options for watching the Solar Eclipse in Nashville http://www.visitmusiccity.com/eclipse/watch, including fun venues and parties at various locations. Many locations are in the path of totality. For example, there’s the Mayor’s Viewing Party at First Tennessee Park and Dave & Buster’s Music City Eclipse Watch Party. You can watch it from the Grand Ole Opry, the Adventure Science Center, the Fontanel Nashville, Smith & Lentz Brewing or the Wilson County Fair.
Metro Nashville Parks are also in the path of totality: Beaman Park, Bells Bend, Cedar Hill Park, Fort Negley and Hadley Park to name a few. There are also Tennessee state parks in the path of totality like Bledsoe Creek, Burgess Falls, Cedars of Lebanon, Cumberland Mountain, Radnor Lake and Rock Island.
Fun Things to Do Before, During and After the Eclipse
If you opt for the Mayor’s party at Tennessee Park, you can watch the Nashville Sounds play the Iowa Cubs after the eclipse at 4:00 p.m.
The Adventure Science Center has a Science & Technology Festival that involves fun-filled activity from August 19-21, with exhibitions, live science demonstrations, food and music.
The Grand Ole Opry has big name talent scheduled to perform on August 20-21, with Little Big Town, Darius Rucker, Wynona, and Charles Esten on August 20. The next day features live music and a unique “Nashville Total Eclipse” soundtrack during the eclipse totality, lasting about two minutes.
AJ’s Good Bar has party tickets that include eclipse-viewing glasses, a T-shirt, lunch, commemorative poster and two drink tickets.
Importance of Wearing Certified Protective Solar/Eclipse Glasses
Looking at a partially eclipsed sun without special solar or eclipse glasses can seriously damage your eyes, including blind spots or blurriness. You may not notice the damage until several hours later.
What’s not good enough protection?
Looking through:
Regular sunglasses
Dark trash bags
Camera filters
Exposed film (not even in layers)
Smoked glass
Safety glasses
Not even several pairs of dark glasses
Nothing around the house is good enough. Be sure to wear certified solar or eclipse glasses that are not older than three years and do not have scratched or wrinkled lenses (reference: NASA).
Gather Friends and Family and Hop on Board! Western Motorcoach Has Got You Covered!
Celebrate this spectacular event by booking through Western Motorcoach. You can avoid the confusion, traffic, directions and parking hassles by piling family and friends onto a motorcoach.
Our professional drivers keep you safe and your items secure while you enjoy Music City and experience the eclipse of a lifetime! There’s no safer way to travel than by bus. It’s affordable and also the greenest form of ground transportation in the country.