Look to the future

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Did you enjoy the eclipse yesterday? I thought it was pretty spectacular. It's so amazing to me. 

I've been thinking about the people who lived back before we could project when an eclipse might occur. As we drove out to the farm in western Kentucky yesterday, we noticed farmers working with their corn, soybeans, tobacco, or cattle. Can you imagine being out in the field and noticing that things were looking kind of funny but not knowing what was happening? And then having everything around you turn dark? And then having it all go away? I think that would be really freaky. It might send me to my knees!

Not only did we know what was about to happen yesterday, we had telephone apps literally announcing the timing to the second. It was pretty cool. 

So I'm ready for the next one which brings up another amazing thing to me. We can predict with 100% accuracy when and where the next eclipses will occur.  For the United States you can expect the following dates:

• April 8, 2024
• March 30, 2033
• Aug. 23, 2044
• Aug. 12, 2045
• March 30, 2052

In April 2024 we can expect the path of totality in North America to go from Mexico to Texas on up to Maine and Canada. Western Kentucky will be in that path once again. This time, instead of a 2 minute eclipse, we can expect one that will last for over 4 minutes! 

Now the April eclipse-watchers will have to contend with prevalent spring rains for visibility. But the upcoming August dates should be fairly clear. 

So put your protective eyewear away for seven years -- or do like my puppy did and chew them up. But rest assured in knowing that the Creator of the Universe is in control. Praise His Name every day for His ways are spectacular indeed!