Solar Event Captivates Country

CARROLL COUNTY (April 8) — On Monday, many in North America stopped mid-day to gaze in wonder at the total solar eclipse, a rare event that won’t be visible again from the contiguous United States until August 23, 2044. Carroll Countians experienced 97.9% coverage of the sun.

From almost anywhere in the contiguous United States, spectators were able to see some coverage of the sun, but people viewing the eclipse from locations where the Moon’s shadow completely covers the Sun – known as the path of totality – experienced a total solar eclipse.

A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. Despite the difference in size, the Moon, Earth and Sun are the perfect distances from each other allowing the moon to completely block out the sun for a moment during these events.

Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio were located within the path of totality along with Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

The sky darkened, as if it were dawn or dusk. Weather permitting, people along the path of totality saw the Sun’s corona, or outer atmosphere, which is usually obscured by the bright face of the Sun.

Looking at a solar eclipse without the correct eyewear can cause ‘eclipse blindness,’ or retinal burns, when the cells in the retina get damaged or destroyed and can no longer properly transmit what you see to the brain.

Viewing eyewear was available at several shops, libraries, and other locations. For those that didn’t have the eyewear, a simple viewing device could be made with a cardboard box and aluminum foil.

On a personal note, my four-year-old described the solar event as a piece of cheese that was slowly being eaten.

She will be almost 25-years-old when the next solar eclipse is visible in the United States.

Additional photos from the Solar Eclipse available at www.mckenziebanner.com.