On Monday, a significant eclipse occurred in North America, marking the last major eclipse that would cross over the continent for the next 20 years. This event brought totality to over 30 million people, with hundreds of millions more witnessing partial eclipses. Science News staff were among those who experienced this event, observing the diminution of the sun in various locations across the United States, including Washington, D.C., Painesville, Ohio, and Wills Point, Texas. Groups of scientists also studied the eclipse’s effect on Earth during this phenomenon.
In different parts of the country, Science News staff, family, friends, and fellow sky watchers observed the eclipse in various ways. From practicing with eclipse glasses in Brandywine, Md., to setting up telescopes in Mentor-on-the-Lake, Ohio, individuals experienced the eclipse firsthand. The progression of the eclipse was captured in images showing the moon’s shadow and the darkening skies as the moon moved fully in front of the sun. Crowds in Charlotte, Vermont, began cheering as the moon blocked out the sun, creating moments of awe and wonder for those present during the eclipse.
Among those who witnessed the eclipse were Science News editor-in-chief Nancy Shute with subscribers in Painesville, Ohio, and Science News reporter Meghan Rosen with her family in Charlotte, Vermont. Both shared the experience with those around them, capturing the beauty and excitement of the celestial event. The eclipse was also observed in national landmarks such as the National Mall in Washington, D.C., where people gathered to watch the event and take photos with their eclipse glasses. The Washington Monument served as a backdrop for eclipse watchers, providing a stunning setting for this natural wonder.
The eclipse brought together individuals from different backgrounds and locations, uniting them in a shared experience of wonder and awe at the spectacle unfolding in the sky. Whether watching from a residential area in Erie, Pa., or from the shores of Lake Erie in Ohio, people marveled at the beauty and mystery of the celestial event. In Great Falls, Va., a Sunspotter displayed the moon’s shadow, while in Charlotte, Vermont, crowds erupted in cheers as darkness fell over Lake Tawakoni during the total solar eclipse. These moments captured the collective excitement and joy of those who witnessed the eclipse firsthand.
As the last major eclipse to cross over North America for the next two decades, this event held special significance for those who experienced it. People of all ages, from young children practicing with eclipse glasses to families watching together, were united in their fascination and appreciation for the natural world. The eclipse served as a reminder of the beauty and wonder of the universe, bringing moments of joy and reflection to those who were lucky enough to witness this rare and extraordinary event.
