There is not a lot of hype built up for the solar eclipse happening across America this August, but maybe that's because I really don't know how to gauge that sort of thing with the general public. I can go scouring for different science blogs, chat boxes, and even Reddit posts for how people might be feeling about this topic, but they might be filled with posts about how the environment needs our dire attention due to the current administration in charge of our country. In any case, when searching for eclipse glasses online, the description said, "Perfect for the August 21st, 2017 solar eclipse." Which got me interested in whether I should buy stocks for the glasses everytime there's an eclipse around the corner. I'm just kidding, I don't have any stocks.
Although trying to make sure there are no clouds on that day is going to be much more vicious. I'm ready to drive anywhere I need to that day in order to go where there is nothing blocking my view. Clearly, we can't control the clouds because of their uncertainty. But we have certainty that there WILL be a solar eclipse, it will follow this path and it will happen at this time for exactly this many seconds. So if that's possible, it sucks how something we can't control can dictate whether or not I wasted seventeen dollars on twelve pairs of glasses.
Uncertainty about our weather is not the same as uncertainty about climate change. There is certainty in numbers, and there are too many numbers and variables involved in everyday weather forecasting that make it impossible to know whether it will rain on my sister's outdoor Birthday Bonanza at exactly this time in this area. The great thing about climate change is that there is really only one number we need to concern ourselves with, and that is 2℃. That's the number of degrees the average global temperature can go up to before things start turning really apocalyptic. It's the point of no return. This certainty is exactly what the Paris Accord is based on!
So all I'm saying is, climate change deniers are not willing to believe that something bad will happen. They might use weather forecasting as evidence for the unpredictability of weather, but climate is different. We can't predict earthquakes because there are a lot of variables in the equation. The variables for predicting a solar eclipse are easier to work with. So something like a solar eclipse happening, something that has been seen as a sign from the gods by human history, can be pointed out by a scientist with complete certainty like, "Yeah, this day, there will be a momentary shadow, it means nothing." If science can admit its uncertainty about some things, then we should believe it when it is certain. I mean there's a computer in our pocket all the time, that's certainty at its finest.
It is great to be able to have a car today because back in 1760, French astronomer Guillaume Le Gentil wanted to see the transit of Venus, basically, a partial solar eclipse formed by Venus, which looks like a dot passing through the sun's light. So in order to view and measure aspects of this event, he first goes to India but isn't able to get the right measurements because he's on a rocking boat. The next transit was in eight years so he decides to stay in India rather than go back home since the transit after that one would happen way after he was dead. This was his last chance and a once in a lifetime opportunity. So it saddened me when I learned that he couldn't experience it this time either because... of clouds.
So although seeing this eclipse is something I've wanted to do since I was twelve, I can't be too disappointed if it's overcast for two hundred miles in all directions. However, I will be disappointed if we go past 2℃. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to add a telescope to my cart, the glasses are getting lonely.
