The Great Chicago Dimming: How Long Will We Be Living in Twilight? (Spoiler Alert: Not That Long)
Fear not, fellow Chicagoans! While news of an eclipse might have you picturing months of eternal dusk and confused pigeons (seriously, those guys freak out at the slightest shadow), the reality is a bit more, well, sunshine-y.
Buckle Up, Buttercup: Here's the Lowdown on the Eclipse
The upcoming celestial showstopper (because, let's face it, an eclipse is way cooler than, say, watching paint dry) is a partial solar eclipse. That means the moon will take a big, round bite out of the sun, but not enough to completely cover it. So, while things might get a little dim for a while, we won't be needing flashlights for our afternoon picnics (although, packing snacks is always a good idea in this city).
Now, Down to Brass Tacks: How Long Does This Last?
Here's the good news: The whole eclipse thing won't be a marathon. In Chicago, the partial eclipse will start at around 12:51 PM, hit its peak at 2:07 PM, and then wrap it up by 3:22 PM. That's roughly two and a half hours, which is basically the amount of time it takes to wait in line for a deep dish pizza on a Friday night (okay, maybe a slight exaggeration, but you get the point).
The real star of the show (pun intended) is when the eclipse reaches its peak. During this 2:07 PM sweet spot, the moon will be covering a whopping 94% of the sun. That's enough to cast an eerie twilight over the city and make everyone squint a little bit (sunglasses, people, sunglasses!).
Important Note: Looking directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, is a big no-no. It can seriously damage your eyesight. So please, for the sake of your retinas and your ability to enjoy future deep dish adventures, use special eclipse glasses to witness this cosmic event.
So, Basically...
The Chicago eclipse is a cool little celestial happening that will provide some temporary shade and a chance to witness the awesome power of space. It won't be a life-altering event (unless you accidentally stare at the sun, which we definitely do not recommend), but it's a fun way to break up the monotony of the day.
So grab your special glasses, dust off those picnic blankets, and get ready for a slightly less sunny afternoon in the Windy City!
