Space Weather & Football: Solar Eclipse this Saturday

The moon's shadow will sweep across the country Saturday morning/afternoon and will significantly darken some noon games.

In Ann Arbor, the eclipse will go from 11:45 am to 2:25 pm, peaking at 1:03 pm when the sun will be about 35% obscured by the moon (0.47 magnitude*). Combine that with the forecast calling for a lot of clouds and rain and this may feel more like a night game.

Notable teams/darkness (all 12n kicks):

• TEM @ NTX (0.86m)
• ARK @ ALA (0.69)
• SYR @ FSU (0.67)
• UGA @ VAN (0.62)
• OSU @ PUR (0.55)
• IND @ MICH (0.47)
• MSU @ RUT (0.36)

Notes:

• North Texas should be the best eclipse viewing (most obscured + clearest skies)
• FSU or even MICH could be the darkest game depending on the weather
• Even east coast games like MSU @ RUT will probably appear noticeably dim/weird on TV
• Too bad UCLA @ Oregon State (0.94) and SJSU @ NM (0.97) take place well after the eclipse has finished :(

*Pop-POP!