On April 8, 2024, an estimated 43.8 million people traveled to the path of totality to view the solar eclipse that spanned 15 states. This cosmic event was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I was able to experience.
In a solar eclipse the earth, moon, and sun line up in a way that the moon can block out the sun in the sky temporarily. In the path of totality, the sun is fully blocked out leaving only a glowing rim around the moon. This recent eclipse was special to many people since it will be the last chance for totality in the US for the next two decades. It also covered more land than many other eclipses.
For an onlooker, the covering of the sun was not the only amazing part of the eclipse. Raul Castro, an umbraphile, meaning an eclipse chaser, said that he enjoyed “seeing the totality with the people around me like [watching] new people that have never seen an eclipse enjoying and sharing those moments.” Other surreal aspects of those minutes or less of totality were the sky appearing to have a 360-degree sunrise/ sunset and, according to Ms. Oakes, a teacher at HVHS who also saw the eclipse in totality, “being able to see that outer layer of the sun actually shining through.”
The eclipse was so unique that people reacted in many ways. Personally, I tried to take all its brilliance in during the fleeting period that I had but it still seemed like a fever dream looking back. Oakes and Sophie Arnold (11) both reported standing in awe while looking at the sky.
Castro was smart enough to photograph the event as the sun slowly was disappearing. He said that photographing the eclipse gave him the opportunity to “meet a lot of people” that he wouldn’t have met otherwise when they come to him asking for these images.
Arnold shares that the eclipse “sparked an interest” for what is beyond. Every person interviewed plans on traveling to view more eclipses after their “breathtaking” experience. I hope that I will be able to see another solar eclipse in my lifetime and I urge anyone who can go see one to make it happen because they won’t regret it.
