Est. 2006
OBA on Social Media
Blog Layout
Viewing Today's Solar Eclipse From Orange Beach
OBA Staff • Apr 08, 2024
Partly Sunny Skies Are Forcast For This Afternoon
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – We have heard the saying " Location is everything" and that will be true on April 8th, during the total eclipse of the sun across the United States. While cities in the 115 mile-wide path will experience several minutes of darkness and the ability to view the sun's corona, outlying areas may only experience a dimming affect, thou the time will last longer.
According to NASA, the residents in our area will start of notice the dimming begin at 12:34 PM. The maximum darkness though will not occur until 1:54PM and the blocked area of the sun should be similar to a crescent moon shape. Essentially a 77.3% maximum coverage.
Another solar eclipse with a path of darkness totality will not occur again across the continental United States until 2045. Plan the middle of your day to observe the darkness but don't look directly at the sun. To safely view this solar eclipse you must use solar filters at all times. At all times, precautions should be taken. Observers will need to wear solar eclipse glasses, and cameras, telescopes and binoculars must have solar filters placed in front of their lenses.
COVERAGE ESTIMATE BY NASA:
Once you click the map below, place the zip code (36526) in the search area and a coverage timeline will appear
Each time Total Solar Eclipses occur there are theorist that predict the world is ending. The United States has seen 15 total eclipses since 1867 and the earth kept spinning.
OTHER NASA ECLIPSE FATCS:
- The longest duration for a total solar eclipse is about 7.5 minutes.
- A total solar eclipse is not noticeable until the Sun is more than 90 percent covered by the Moon. At 99 percent coverage, daytime lighting resembles local twilight.
- Eclipse shadows travel at 1,100 miles per hour at the equator and up to 5,000 miles per hour near the poles.
- The width of the Moon's shadow is at most 170 miles wide.
- The maximum number of solar eclipses (partial, annular, or total) is 5 per year.
- There are at least 2 solar eclipses per year somewhere on the Earth.
- A total eclipse can only happen during a new moon.
- Nearly identical eclipses (total, annual, or partial) occur after 18 years and 11 days, or every 6,585.32 days (Saros Cycle).
- From the Earth's surface, the Sun's corona ("crown") can ONLY be seen during a total eclipse.
- Partial solar eclipses can be seen 2,000 to 3,000 miles from the track of totality.
- Total solar eclipses happen because the Sun is near one of the nodes of the lunar orbit, and the Moon is near perigee at this node at the same time.
- Annular solar eclipses happen because the Sun is near one of the nodes of the lunar orbit, and the Moon is near apogee at this node at the same time.
- Shadow bands are often seen on the ground as totality approaches.
- Light filtering through leaves on trees casts crescent shadows as totality approaches.
- Local animals and birds often prepare for sleep or behave confusedly during totality.
- Local temperatures can drop as much as 20 degrees during a total solar eclipse.
Share this article w/ Friends...
On Sunday afternoon, April 28th, the Gulf Shores Police responded to a robbery at the Arby's located at 1515 Gulf Shores Parkway. The incident occurred at 3:33 PM, when a man threatened an employee with what appeared to be a semi-automatic pistol. He demanded money and car keys.
UPDATE: Lauren Davidson Has been found.
-----------------------------
Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – The Gulf Shores Police are actively searching for Lauren Davidson, a 58-year-old woman reported missing since yesterday morning, April 28th. Davidson was last seen around 5:12 AM near Bay John Condominiums at 4297 County Road 6.
Get ready for an invigorating week on the Alabama Gulf Coast, packed with exciting activities like thrill-seeking jet ski rentals, and beach carts. Hot air balloon festival excitement, boat shows, an Eco-Clean Marine clean-up with famous gumbo and beach volleyball championships. Come and experience the best of the Gulf Coast this week.
May is set to be an eventful time along the Gulf Shores, with major happenings like the NCAA Beach Volleyball tournament and the Hangout Music Festival drawing crowds from all over the country. In light of these events, significant adjustments to public parking and beach access points are scheduled to ensure both events run smoothly. Starting April 29, closures will begin with the Gulf Place parking lot, which will be inaccessible to vehicular traffic to accommodate event setups.
On Saturday, April 27, 2024, the University of Alabama brought its "Tide on Tour" event to Orange Beach, delighting fans with the chance to meet and greet Crimson Tide coaches and student-athletes.
The event, held at the Perdido Beach Resort, featured head football coach Kalen DeBoer, men's basketball coach Nate Oats, and several star players, including redshirt junior quarterback Jalen Milroe from Katy, Texas, graduate student defensive back Malachi Moore from Trussville, Alabama, and freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams from Saraland, Alabama, were among the athletes in attendance.
As saltwater fishing for 2024 heads into the peak seasons, a look back at 2023 reveals another record-breaking year for those who fish Alabama’s coastal waters and the Gulf of Mexico.
The catch that went viral with news agencies around the world picking up the story was the giant blue marlin caught by “Best Trait,” a 55-foot Viking sportfishing vessel owned by Scott Crump of Jasper. The marlin officially weighed 1,145.6 pounds, which is not only an Alabama but also a Gulf of Mexico record. The Best Trait marlin, which was 145 inches long, easily eclipsed the Alabama state record of 851.9 pounds caught in 2020 by Ginger Myers. The Gulf record was set in 2002 in Mississippi by Barry Carr at 1,054 pounds.
On May 2nd, folks in the Orange Beach community and surrounding areas are invited to gather at the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach to observe the National Day of Prayer. The annual event starts at noon and everyone is welcome.
Local church leaders will guide prayers on the Center's shaded lawn.
The 20th Annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival is set to take flight this week at OWA Parks & Resort in Foley. The event, running from May 2 through May 4, features more than 50 hot air balloons from across the United States. This marks the fourth consecutive year that OWA will host the festival, adding to its attractions which include an amusement park, water features, and diverse dining and shopping options.
Pursuant to Section 9-12-46, Code of Alabama as stated by Rule 220-3-.01, the Marine Resources Division (MRD) of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) announces that as of 6 a.m., Wednesday, May 1, 2024, all inside waters will close for commercial and recreational shrimp harvesting. All inside waters, not permanently closed by law or regulation, will reopen to shrimp harvest at 6 a.m., on Saturday, June 1, 2024.
Anyone who knows anything about Orange Beach knows that the community cares deeply for animals, particularly those in need of help. With this spirit, the Perdido Beach Resort is hosting the inaugural "Paws for a Cause Charity Gala" on May 10, 2024. The event, scheduled from 6 PM to 10 PM, will raise funds for the Safe Harbor Animal Coalition (S.H.A.C.), a local organization dedicated to caring for homeless and abandoned cats and dogs in Baldwin County, Alabama.
