US MED Solar Eclipse, August 21, 2017

The US MED Family is patiently waiting for the 2017 Solar Eclipse! To celebrate, the Marketing team put together Eclipse Bags for the employees containing Sun Chips and SunKist, along with a printed insert showing 6 Facts About the 2017 Solar Eclipse.

6 Facts About the 2017 Solar Eclipse

1 – This will be the first total solar eclipse in the continental U.S. in 38 years. The last one occurred February 26, 1979. Unfortunately, not many people saw it because it clipped just five states in the Northwest and the weather for the most part was bleak. Before that one, you have to go back to March 7, 1970.

2- A solar eclipse is a lineup of the Sun, the Moon, and Earth. The Moon, directly between the Sun and Earth, casts a shadow on our planet. If you’re in the dark part of that shadow (the umbra), you’ll see a total eclipse. If you’re in the light part (the penumbra), you’ll see a partial eclipse.

3- Everyone in the continental U.S. will see at least a partial eclipse. In fact, if you have clear skies on eclipse day, the Moon will cover at least 48 percent of the Sun’s surface. And that’s from the Northern tip of Maine.

4- This eclipse will be the most-viewed ever. This proclamation is based on four factors: 1) the attention it will get from the media; 2) the superb coverage of the highway system in our country; 3) the typical weather on that date; 4) the vast number of people who will have access to it from nearby large cities.

5- Yes, the Sun’s a lot bigger. Our daytime star’s diameter is approximately 400 times larger than that of the Moon. What a coincidence that it also lies roughly 400 times farther away. This means both disks appear to be the same size.

6- The future is bright but long. The next total solar eclipse over the continental U.S. occurs April 8, 2024. It’s a good one, too. Depending on where you are (on the center line), the duration of totality lasts at least 3 minutes and 22 seconds on the east coast of Main and stretches to 4 minutes and 27 seconds in southwestern Texas. After that eclipse, it’s a 20-year wait until August 23, 2044 (and, similar to the 1979 event, that one is visible only in Montana and North Dakota). Total solar eclipse follow in 2045 and 2078.

Our View

In South Florida, we will be seeing nearly 50 percent of the sun being covered during peak hour of 2:58p.m. The first view at the Great American Eclipse began at 1:26 P.M.

US MED employees walk out to witness the most talked about Eclipse throughout the afternoon! It is nice to share such an experience with our co-workers and we appreciate our organization for embracing moments like this with unity and excitement.

Thank you, US MED!