Total Solar Eclipse of 8/21/17

Today was eventful, as the moon rolled across the sun and cast a shadow throughout the United States. The total solar eclipse was expected for a while and it finally happened today. The elementary and middle school classes watched the eclipse by making pinhole viewers or wearing special glasses. You can make a pinhole viewer by using a box, scissors, aluminum foil, and tape. Eclipse glasses can be bought on Amazon or from local hardware stores and public places. Everyone waited in anticipation and excitement for the afternoon event to happen.

A total solar eclipse when the moon passes in front of the Earth, completely blocking the view of the sun. Total solar eclipses are a rare sight. The last one took place on February 26, 1979, but we were lucky to see one today. The younger friends stayed in their classes during the afternoon, but Lower and Upper Elementary and Middle School watched the eclipse through a live stream or made a pinhole viewer. Some brought eclipse glasses with solar filters to watch the sun safely.

Each class learned about what happens during an eclipse and more about the sun and the moon. The teachers also taught them about solar safety. The eclipse could be viewed throughout the United States from the west coast to east coast, but it occurred at different times for different people. Totality is when the moon completely covers the sun. While everyone enjoyed it, the event only lasted 7 minutes and 30 seconds, but totality only lasted 2 minutes and 43 seconds. Everyone had a good time and learned a lot in the time before the eclipse. Shortly after the eclipse ended, students and parents started driving home, safely. It was a great time to see a rare phenomenon and to learn how it worked. There is still another chance to see a total solar eclipse. The next time the United States will be in the path of the moon will be in 7 years. People in the U.S. who missed the chance this year will have another opportunity to view it in 2024.