While watching the eclipse Monday, the sky has other gems to watch for too. The planet Venus shows itself in broad daylight during the full eclipse. The ancient Greeks believed Venus was the goddess of love and beauty and times when she showed herself were to be held in admiration.
Astronomers said the only time Venus is visible in the day time is during an eclipse.
Mary Adams is the Director of the Headlands International Dark Sky Park in Emmet County. She said historically eclipses have dreamy and romantic appeals to them.
“You can see Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, at a moment when it’s not normally visible to us at that time. So, what is that? Byron wrote this amazing poem; she walks in beauty like the night in cloudless climbs and starry skies”.
Adams jokingly said we should make love potions and have them blessed by Venus when she shows herself, making your next date be a sure thing.
She said centuries ago people had different feeling towards eclipses than we do today.
“Not every culture would have rushed out to see a thing like this. They would hide because of what happens. There are ideas. So, to put it in a story teller’s term, the dragon begins to stir. So, you don't want to be in an obvious spot for the dragon to catch you when that’s happening. So, there would be this taking cover”.
Adams said an eclipse has not crossed the entire continental United States - west to east - in 99 years and will not again for another 28 years.
She said for those who don't want to travel far to see the eclipse in totality they will have a closer option in a few years.
“The next total solar eclipse that will be visible in the United States is not going to go coast to coast. It will come up kind of south central U.S. and sweep up towards the north east. The closest landfall of the shadow for us will be Toledo Ohio”.
Adams said that opportunity will happen in seven years on April 8, 2024.
