Today on KSR: Total Eclipse of the Site

Well, guys, we made it. After months of anticipation, the total solar eclipse is finally upon us. Around 1:30 p.m. CT/2:30 p.m. ET this afternoon, the moon will slide in front of the sun, completely covering it up for up to two minutes and forty seconds in some communities, such as Hopkinsville.

If you’re like me, you’re over the eclipse hype, but it is a big deal. The last time a total solar eclipse was visible across the entire United States was 1918, and a total eclipse hasn’t been visible from anywhere in the mainland United States since 1979. The path of totality is 67 miles wide and goes through 14 states, starting in Oregon and ending in Charleston, South Carolina. Here’s a map of the path in Kentucky, along with totality times:

While totality will only last a few minutes for those in the path, the eclipse will actually take almost three hours. The moon will start to move in front of the sun around 1 p.m. ET and finally leave it around 4 p.m. ET. WEAR YOUR ECLIPSE GLASSES while staring at the sun during this time. If you’re in the path, you can take them off during totality.

The weather looks pretty promising

Fortunately, it seems the clouds will stay away for the most part in Kentucky and Tennessee.

I have eclipse glasses, but are they real?

Because some people suck, a big batch of fake eclipse glasses were sold. How do you know if yours are real? Real ones have a designated ISO 12312-2 icon and the manufacturer’s name and address printed somewhere on them. Legit eclipse glasses are meant to block out all but the very brightest light, aka the sun or something comparably bright like a bright light bulb or LED flashlight. If you can see anything other than that, DON’T WEAR THEM DURING THE ECLIPSE.

I don’t have eclipse glasses. What do I do?

Grab a cereal box and follow these instructions:

Can I take a picture of the eclipse with my phone?

Yes, just don’t point your phone at the sun for too long or it could damage the image sensor. If you’re really worried about it, you can make your own solar filter for your phone; definitely use one for a nice camera. And again, never look at the partially eclipsed sun without eclipse glasses on!

I have a feeling that eclipse photos are going to be like firework photos: everyone takes them thinking they’re awesome and they all kind of suck. I’m sure I’ll post one on Instagram regardless.

The site will also be dark for a bit

Nashville’s in the path, so I’m going to take a break to go watch this historic event at a friend’s house. Nobody break anything while I’m gone.

This footage of the eclipse in 1979 is cool

Please stop talking about the eclipse. What else is going on?

Honestly, not a ton. There’s no football availability today, but word may leak out about the severity of Dorian Baker’s ankle injury. If you were offline this weekend, the senior wide receiver suffered a “substantial” injury to his ankle that we’re hearing could keep him out the entire season. Obviously, that’s a huge blow to Kentucky’s receiving corps, which is now in “next man up” mode. Like Landon Young in the wake of Cole Mosier’s injury last week, I expect Kayaune Ross to receive a lot of attention tomorrow when the offense addresses the media.

In other news, with class starting this week, the basketball players are back on campus. Additionally, former Cats will converge on Lexington later this week for the Alumni Game on Friday night. According to his Snapchat, Anthony Davis is already here:

The guys are in Hopkinsville for the festivities

At two minutes and forty seconds, Hopkinsville will have one of the longest totalities in the country. In turn, the KSR crew arrived in Hoptown last night to witness all the excitement. Over 200,000 people are expected to descend upon Hopkinsville, so if you’re there and looking for a way to pass the time, come on out to Main Street Tavern to watch the show.