Last year I read a book by Andrea Wulf called "Chasing Venus" about the 1761 & 1769 international efforts of Astronomers to determine the measure of our solar system by determining the distance between the Earth and the Sun. In order to do this, they had one.... no..... two.... brief chances, when venus slowly progressed between the Earth and the Sun.
This iss called the "Transit of Venus" and occurs every time within 8 years of each other, but there are 122 years between events. When Venus does this, it produces a small dot of a shadow on the Sun, which is seen in different positions depending on your Latitude. The objective of scientists, challenged originally by Edwin Halley in the 1730s, was to collaborate with as many expeditions they could plan to different positions on the globe where the transit could be observed to its best effect. Ideally, from entrance into the Sun's glow through to its exit.
Expeditions were sent to remote places such a Siberia, Tahiti, India, and California. Many expeditions thwarted by weaher, transportation, or political obstacles. The expeditions in 1761 produced more questions than answers, but the results of the second transit (thanks to additional political effort now that there was international public momentum behind this venture) provided us with the information needed tto answer these questions.
The most recent transits were in 2004 and 2012, so the next are outside our lifetimes (2117 & 2125). If you missed the ones a few years ago you'll be out of luck.
So here we are at the Total Eclipse 2024, April 8. Neither you or I will be deriving great Scientific Truths from our expeditions, but we are participating in a great history of Scientific adventure which has enlightened humanity to the scope of the Solar System and ultimately the Universe. There will be more eclipses in our lifetime (you may travel to a total eclipse someswhere on the globe nearly every year, though most will be short & remote - it's a false narrative that this is "your last chance" if you're determined).
Good breakfast again today - reheated the precooked bacon & sausages, coffee, toast with cream cheese & Jelly. Oh! Almost forgot - Avocado toast sandwiched the bacon with a little salt & granulated garlic for a fabulous sandwich!
Our first outing was to possibly check out burial mounds that were identified on the map as just outside Paducah. Things did not go as expected.
The mounds were apparently in the woods beside a construction business and possibly inside the gate, but there was a park across the road and walking paths that went nearby on the other side, so we stopped by the park.
So Noble Park is really lovely: playgrounds, lots of open fields, and lots of natural areas with walking paths. Using iNaturalist, I started identifying some of the wildflowers we ran across.
Virginia Springbeauty
Mayapple (in flower)
Common Vetch
Slender yellow woodorrel
Philadelphia feabane
American field pansy
Butterweed (this is actually from yesterday)
And a Checkerspot I haven't identified to it's genus/species
Anyway, we ended up giving up on the burial mound, had a conversation about NAGPRA, then worked our way back to the car to explore the Eclipse events they have been preparing in Paducah downtown.
So I've just got to say - Paducah is adorable. It's a small midwestern town, which means it's flat. But it's full of interesting architecture, parks, and they've got a thriving artsy cultural vibe that they're fostering. It's well worth a visit & a stay in the main downtown area if you're coming through.
We stopped in for a very late lunch at the first restaurant we came acrosss - a Cajun restaurant with crocodile, crawfish, and frogs legs on the menu. Their mixed drinks are good, too - SWEET, but good. Sweet alcoholic beverages seems to be a theme over here - unless you're drinking Bourbon.
The village was in full eclipse swing. Lots of booths outside, music, and people wandering about. Not crowded, just hanging out & enjoying a festival day.
There is a monument to Explorers along the Riverwalk.
Riverwalk art was extensive!
And of course..... any temptation to climb!
Important to know that Paducah has received designation as a "UNESCO creative city."
Final stop today was the National Quilt Museum (NQM). Thought of mom during this explore, as well as a number of ladies from church (Cathy Law springs directly to mind).
An assortment of pictures from the current expeditions are shown below. For more information, click the link above.
I tried to get a few pictures that would show the stitching, and texture. My Lord of the Rings fans should be loving on the middle set.
Heading out of Paducah - checking out some gorgeous buildings we could see from downtown.
Also - we researched the Benevolent Protective order of Elks and deem their background story worth an entertaining read.
Sleep well everyone! Current plans for us are to wake up very early to get over to Ferne Cliffe. If the walls are dry enough to climb on (BIG "if") then we'll see what can be done - no extra risks. If not, then we'll just do some more hiking around the park and watch for eclipse starting around 12:43pm.
Goreville, IL
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