CULLMAN, Ala. – Calling all astrological enthusiasts, sky gazers and space cadets! Cullman is in the direct eclipse path of the next partial solar eclipse. For three hours and three minutes on Saturday, Oct. 14, beginning at 10:38 a.m., the moon will disrupt the sun’s bright piercing rays over Cullman and will cast the town in shadow, slowly growing dimmer until 12:07 p.m. At this halfway point, the moon will begin to travel away from the sun, slowly allowing the light to take over once again until daylight is restored entirely at 1:41 p.m.
In the case of a Total Solar Eclipse, as was the last eclipse Cullman experienced in 2017, it would almost appear to be night during the complete overlap of the moon to the sun; with only a small, bright, formidable ring of fire casting a glow around its orbital invader.
Witnessing this event is an awesome way to connect with the magnitude and beauty of nature, and does not require many specific items to participate. If you prefer to bask in the beauty alone, you need a lawn chair or a towel in the grass and a wide open sky; if looking on surrounded by like-minded individuals sounds more like your style, www.Ilovesolareclipse.com is hosting a viewing party in the Cullman Shopping Center. Any spot with an unobstructed sky view will be privilege to this event. Local parks such as Sportsman Lake, Stiefelmeyer, or Heritage are spectacular spots to see the show.
However, no matter where your viewing oasis may be, eye protection is needed. Looking directly into the sun’s rays can permanently damage your eyes. While sunglasses block harmful rays from the sun in a normal setting, they are not intended for looking directly into the sun. Instead, specialty solar eclipse glasses can be bought online. When asked, local merchant Mary Carter was not certain if they would carry solar eclipse glasses as they have in the past. If ordering online isn’t possible, another method known as the pinhole projector, allows the shadow of the eclipse to pass through a small pinhole in a card or piece of paper.
The viewing party will be held at the (north) Cullman Shopping Center, located along U.S. Highway 31 North, gathering at 10:38 a.m., until the eclipse’s conclusion at 1:41 p.m.
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