Not everyone will be able to be in the path of the total solar eclipse Aug. 21, but the Nebraska Mesonet doesn’t want anyone to miss out. In anticipation of the event, the office has launched a new website so people can participate in an electronic eclipse viewing of the celestial event.
The statewide weather station network has 30 stations within the line of totality. Depending on cloud cover, those stations will record a lack of solar radiation and a possible temperature drop. Live-streamed maps will show that data starting when the partial eclipse begins about 10:25 a.m. (MDT) in the western-most part of the state. Observations related to the eclipse should last through 2:33 p.m. (CDT) when the it officially passes beyond the state.
Readings related to the total eclipse, when the moon fully blocks the light of the sun, will begin at 11:48 p.m. (MDT) and end at 1:07 p.m. (CST).
In addition to live-streamed maps, the office also will show a live camera view from a Lincoln site. The 360-degree camera shows a clear view of the sky. Again depending on cloud cover, when the eclipse occurs in the city, the view should go completely dark for about 1 minute and 8 seconds at about 1:02 p.m., according to NASA.
The Nebraska Mesonet encourages viewers to take appropriate precautions when viewing the eclipse. Visit the website for more information.
The Nebraska Mesonet is part of the Nebraska State Climate Office at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s School of Natural Resources. For more information, visit their website.
