Solar Eclipse of Our Heart
by Emma and Herschel, XIIIs
On April 8th, New York experienced a solar eclipse. The solar eclipse is a rare phenomenon that lasts a few hours and occurs when the moon comes between the sun and earth, blocking the sun. Depending on where you live, the eclipse could either be a partial eclipse, a total eclipse, or an annular eclipse.
In NYC, the moon blocked around 90% of the sun, meaning one side of the sun was still partially visible. Places such as Vermont and areas in upstate New York had full totality of the eclipse, so that the moon was perfectly in front of the sun.
The last solar eclipse occurred on August 21st, of 2017. Because the moon blocks the sun, the sky darkens, and you can only partially see the sun. To safely observe or look directly at a solar eclipse, people need to wear solar eclipse glasses that have special lenses to ensure that the retinas will not be damaged.
Joanna (Jo) Best, the Lower School and Middle School science teacher, organized the event for us to be able to watch the eclipse in school. Jo said, “It was important to be able to offer something to children and faculty and staff who would be around to be able to see it.”
Of course, organizing something school wide wasn’t a one-person job. Natalie Joseph, Director of Auxiliary Programs, and Megan Lau, IIIsM Group Teacher, got together with Jo to help plan it. A tricky part of this process was figuring out where to fit all the after-school children. The 12th Street Roof had the most viewing available.
Another setback was daylight savings. “What made it more complicated, daylight savings changed where the sun was going to be at 3:30,” said Jo. But they still prevailed and created a day that accommodated everyone who wanted to experience the eclipse.
Kai, Xllls, said, “I drove 5 hours Upstate to see it in Watertown since it is quite a rare sight. We sat in the back of a gas station, and we looked up as the sky went dark and a beautiful orange sunset surrounded us. I could clearly see the shape of the eclipse, and it was really cool.”
The Lower School enjoyed the eclipse, as well. “I want a solar eclipse to happen every year,” said Penelope, VIIsS.
“Most of my friends liked it. I’m pretty sure all of them did,” said Libby, VIIsS.
The Solar Eclipse of April 8th, 2024, was a unique experience for students to experience, especially thanks to our Science teacher Jo, and Natalie and Megan. Our community got together to see and enjoy it.
This article originally appeared in the May 2024 issue of Room-to-Room, the monthly newspaper produced by eighth graders. Last names of students were removed for privacy.