Eclipse Gives Hazlet Amateur Astronomer Moment In The Sun

HAZLET, NJ — Joseph Cascella may have spent most of his career in banking, but for decades his eyes have been focused on the skies as an amateur astronomer.

He's given school and corporate lectures on astronomy, but this one-time math teacher and banker is only an amateur, he insists.

"Astronomy is a hobby; and it's a passion. I learn more all the time. I really enjoy it," says the Hazlet resident.

And a big day on the astronomical calendar is coming up: April 8 is a full solar eclipse, the first solar eclipse in nearly seven years.

Area residents can not only get a glimpse of the eclipse, but they can prepare for it with a talk on the phenomenon by Cascella at 6 p.m. on March 25 at the Hazlet Library.

On April 8, the path of a total solar eclipse - when the moon moves between Earth and the sun - will cross the United States on a trajectory from Texas north through New England. While Hazlet is not in that path, at its peak the sun will be nearly 90 percent eclipsed as seen from the area. You can read more about the event on the NASA site - and another solar eclipse won't be seen for 20 years.

"All solar eclipses are special, but this one is close to the solar maximum," Cascella said, making the impact more remarkable.

That means there is the possibility to see more solar activity in the corona that will be created by the moon's presence.

"The corona can be more prominent, and you may be able to see more solar explosions," he said.

While the eclipse will be nearly 90 percent of what is seen in northern New England, it's still a good show, Cascella said, adding it should begin in this area at about 2:20 in the afternoon, peaking in about an hour and then gradually diminishing.

And there are related phenomenon we on Earth can expect:

• In the afternoon on April 8 when the eclipse begins and it may feel like early sunset.
• Flowers that open wide midday will be close up slightly.
• Shadows will become muddled.
• If it's a warm day, the temperature may decline.

"It gets to be really weird," Cascella said.

The moon will start to "nibble" at the sun as it begins its progress, taking about another hour to complete the eclipse before it passes on, he said.

Cascella, who taught math briefly "a lifetime ago," has a very easy to understand lecture style. He'll present his lecture with "old school" slides, he said.

And an important part of his lesson is the need to wear proper, NASA-approved eye protection.

Solar eclipse glasses will be given out at the presentation, and he said they can also be ordered online. Regular sunglasses are "zero protection," Cascella said, and must not be used.

Damage to the eyes from watching an eclipse is real. Normally one can't look at the sun. When it's obscured, it will feel more comfortable, but it is still sending out harmful rays.

Cascella recommended looking at a bright light bulb with your eyewear to make sure there are no punctures.

You can also create a projected image using cardboard, a pin-holed opening and a white surface that will indirectly show the eclipse activity on the paper.

So with these precautions in mind, Cascella says the eclipse is just not to be missed.

"Pictures don't do it justice. They eye is the best lens out there," he said.