On Monday, Aug. 21, millions of people across the United States got the rare opportunity to witness a spectacular astronomical event – a solar eclipse.
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon casts a shadow on the earth, fully or partially blocking the sun’s lights from hitting the earth. On Aug. 21, the whole continent of North America experienced at least a partial solar eclipse.
The path of the eclipse that passed through Syracuse was about 70 percent of a total eclipse at its peak.
Total solar eclipses that are viewable from the contingent U.S. are pretty rare, and the last one to occur was on Feb. 26, 1979, according to NASA. The next total solar eclipse to be visible over the continental United States will be on April 8, 2024.
While this event was happening on the afternoon of Aug. 21, viewing parties all around Onondaga County were occurring, including one at East Syracuse Minoa’s Pine Grove Middle School, where teacher Becky Loy provided several eclipse viewing options as well as activities and sun-themed snacks and activities.
Loy rounded up about 50 pairs of solar glasses as well as four Celestron telescopes with solar filters, a Lunt solar telescope, solar binoculars, pinhole cameras made by students in the Spartan Summer Camp and a cell phone mount for those in the ESM community to view the solar eclipse.
“Everything I do in education is to get students interested in learning,” said Loy. “I’m so happy we had a great turnout and I hope this gives people a renewed interest in science.”
Dozens of families came to Pine Grove, and were impresses by the event they got to experience.
“As a teacher myself, I think it’s so important to give kids these hands-on learning experiences,” said Robin Locke, who brought her sons to see the eclipse at Pine Grove. “This is something that doesn’t happen too often so I wanted to make sure we saw it.”
The Fayetteville Free Library partnered with NASA to bring more than 200 patrons to attend the solar viewing party, and attendees were provided with solar view glasses and given the opportunity to view the eclipse through a telescope. Solar-themed trivia, games, crafts, yoga and story time occurred at the event.
“We are constantly working to bring informal STEAM learning opportunities to the community through our informal learning platform. The overwhelming response to the eclipse viewing party is a perfect example of our public libraries unique position and strength; bringing the community together to share and create knowledge,” said FFL Executive Director Sue Considine.
