The Great Fresno Dimming: When Does the Sun Go On Vacation?
Hey there, Fresno folks! Ever feel like the Valley gets a little too toasty? Well, fear not, because Mother Nature has a plan (and it involves the moon)! That's right, we're talking about a solar eclipse, baby! But before you break out those lawn chairs and SPF 50 sunscreen (seriously, don't forget the sunscreen), you might be wondering: when exactly does the sun take a snooze in Fresno?
Hold on to your cowboy hats, because the news might sting a bit: Fresno actually witnessed the grand solar eclipse back in April of this year. Yep, you read that right. April. Those long shadows and slightly cooler afternoons you might have experienced? That was the moon giving the sun a high five (or maybe a low five, depending on your perspective).
Tip: Reflect on what you just read.
But fear not, fellow Fresnans! Eclipses are like buses – well, not really, but they do come around eventually. While we might have missed the stellar (pun intended) show this year, there's always the next one!
Tip: Bookmark this post to revisit later.
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In the meantime, here are some fun facts to keep you occupied until the next Fresno dimming:
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- Did you know a solar eclipse happens when the moon gets in between the Earth and the sun, blocking some of the sun's light? Kinda like a celestial game of peek-a-boo, but way cooler.
- There are different types of eclipses, but Fresno experienced a partial eclipse. That means the moon only covered a portion of the sun, so things didn't get completely dark.
- Looking directly at a solar eclipse, even a partial one, is a big no-no! It can seriously damage your eyesight. So unless you have specially designed eclipse glasses, stick to watching the live streams, folks.
How To: quench your eclipse thirst (without frying your eyeballs)
QuickTip: Pause when something feels important.
- How to Watch a Solar Eclipse Safely: Look for online resources that will be streaming the next eclipse. NASA ([invalid URL removed]) is a great place to start!
- How to Prepare for the Next Fresno Eclipse: Mark your calendars! While we can't predict the exact date yet, you can visit websites like Time and Date (
https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/usa/fresno - How to Make Your Own (Safe) Eclipse Viewer: While not recommended for prime viewing, you can actually create a pinhole projector to observe the eclipse indirectly. Just be sure to do your research and follow safety guidelines!
- How to Throw an Eclipse Party (When It Finally Happens): Dust off those lawn chairs, stock up on snacks (moon pies, anyone?), and invite your friends and family over for a celestial shindig!
- How to Impress Your Friends with Eclipse Trivia: Now that you're an eclipse expert (at least compared to your friends), regale them with tales of the solar system and the moon's shadow puppet show!
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