If you haven’t heard a Solar Eclipse is coming to Nashville, you’ve been living on the moon! We’ve rounded up some helpful tips for this celestial event!
If you’re like me and passed more notes to friends in science class, then you may not exactly know what a Solar Eclipse is…Thanks to Wikipedia, we learned that a Solar Eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, and the Moon fully or partially blocks the sun.
The eclipse will begin roughly at noon on August 21, 2017 and be totality (when the moon is completely covering the sun) about an hour and a half later.
Nashville hasn’t had a Solar Eclipse viewing since 1478 and won’t have one again until 2566, so now’s the time to see it! Speaking of seeing it, make sure you have proper eyewear. Regular sunglasses are not sufficient, you can find special eyewear here.
As in typical Music City fashion, there will be many festivities taking place across Nashville. Here are a few your family may enjoy!
- The Nashville Zoo will give a free pair of solar eclipse glasses to the first 5,000 guests of the zoo on August 21st. Guests will be encouraged to record animal behavior using their mobile devices. The zoo is suggesting that guests download an app called iNaturalist. This app was developed to record and share observations of nature. Share your observations and time at the zoo on social media by using the hashtags #nashvillezoo and #nzooeclipse.
- The Mayor’s Bash at First Tennessee Park will feature music from the Nashville Symphony, science demonstrations and hands-on activities from Adventure Science Center. There will also be a Nashville Sounds game after the eclipse at 4:05 p.m.
- Music City Solar Eclipse Festival and Viewing Party will feature explorations in science and technology, fun games and activities, live music, chance to win prizes, local food trucks, and of course viewing the Solar Eclipse
- Bicentennial Mall, the Steeplechase Fields at Warner Park, and the Parthenon also provide excellent viewing locations
**Make sure to tag us in all your Solar Eclipse adventures, using the hashtags #kidfriendlynashville #thenashvillemom