Millions enjoy rare celestial event: a solar eclipse

By Grace Albright

Millions of Americans were treated to a historic event on Monday, April 8, when a solar eclipse traveled a path across the United States. Eclipses happen often, but total eclipses are rare, and Monday’s was a once-in-a-lifetime occourance for much of the country.

Clouds blocked the view in some cities, but people in Shaler and the surrounding communities had a clear look at the eclipse, which produced 97 percent totality. Many people have lived their entire lives and never had a chance to witness a near total solar eclipse until Monday.

This article explains what a solar eclipse is and why only certain parts of the world get to experience it.

A solar eclipse is when the moon passes by the sun, blocking the view of the sun as it passes for a short amount of time. A solar eclipse lasts for approximately 2-4 minutes and one occurs every 1-3 years.

Most eclipses happen but are never seen because they occur over water. They are possible because the moon’s orbit is tilted at about five degrees to Earth’s orbit. Eclipses happen because of the size difference between the sun and the moon. The sun is about 400 times bigger than the moon, but it also happens to be 400 times farther away from Earth.

We get such impressive solar eclipses on Earth due to a lucky chance of nature. There won’t be another total eclipse in the United States for 20 years, and the country will not be treated to one of similar path for 77 years.

For this year’s eclipse, many schools called early dismissals or remote learning days. Teachers were asked to prepare their students with eclipse-related lessons. Millions of people bought eclipse glasses, a special tint that darkens the sun’s dangerous rays. Eclipses are beautiful but dangerous because they can damage a person’s eyes.

I think the solar eclipse was pretty cool. The studies behind it are interesting and the solar eclipse can be important because they help scientists decipher the sun’s structure and explosive events. They help strengthen the theory of general relativity and can lead to the discovery of new elements, among other things.

Michael Paul provided the photo for this story.