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Following Ac Lab Homeroom, all students were released to the football field to view the partial solar eclipse that happened at about 2 p.m.
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Students were on the field for about 30 minutes standing or laying down to view the partial solar eclipse.
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Cassy O’Dell, junior, looks up at the partial solar eclipse. Only 98.3% of the sun’s visible light was blocked, so the sky didn’t completely darken.
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Monday, April 8, was a modified B day that allowed students to witness the eclipse.
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Jonah Boyd and Jeffrey Wallner, math teachers, stand with the staff and students to watch the eclipse.
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Juniors Carly Stremlau and Cassidy O’Dell said they were really excited to be able to go onto the field to experience the eclipse. “This is amazing,” Stremlau said. “I think it’s great they have us out here because this such a rare event for us.”
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Apurva Ganti and Anvita Rani, juniors take a selfie together to remember the event.
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Ben Rhode, senior, looks up at the eclipse. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon is positioned in between the sun and the Earth, at the point in which the moon blocks out the sun’s light.
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As the sky gradually darkened, the weight room’s outside lights turned on to compensate for the loss of light. As the sky grows darker, it is possible for nocturnal animals to emerge, such as owls, toads and crickets.
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Luke Dahlgren, junior, saw a total solar eclipse in elementary school, seven years ago, and said it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“I’m excited for this one as well, even though it’s partial and we won’t be in the direct path,” Dahlgren said. “It’s still a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see.”
During today’s eclipse, only 98.3% of the sun’s visible light will be blocked, so the sky won’t darken. Wearing solar eclipse glasses is highly recommended to protect viewers’ eyes.
“It’s not going to be the same thing I saw in 5th grade, but something I won’t get to see again for a long time,” Dahlgren said, “It’s something to go outside and see. You don’t want to miss it.”
Kevin Koch, science teacher, said a solar eclipse occurs when the moon is positioned in between the sun and the Earth, at the point in which the moon blocks out the sun’s light.
The path of totality is when the moon covers the sun completely, and when the solar eclipse lasts for the longest amount of time.
“In the current state of geologic history, the moon is at a distance from the Earth to where it looks as if it is the same size as the sun,” Koch said. “Due to this, we’re able to block out all of the photosphere and chromosphere of the sun, exposing the sun’s corona, and that makes the solar eclipse very unique during this time.”
Eclipses happen about four times a year, including solar and lunar eclipses. Lunar eclipses happen during full moons; solar happening during new moons. When the moon’s orbit intersects with the plane of the ecliptic, the plane all the planets in the solar system orbit on, eclipses occur.
“What makes solar eclipses rare is the fact that the shadow of the moon is small compared to the shadow of the overall size of the Earth,” Koch said. “So, only certain, small portions of the Earth will actually be able to visually see those solar eclipses.”
Another component of solar eclipses is how nocturnal animals may begin to make noises.
“If you’re very quiet during the time of totality, you could hear creatures like crickets, toads, or owls come out ,” Koch said.
Dr. Cathy Robertson, science teacher, said that totality depends on location.
“Solar eclipses happen all the time, it is just whether or not you will be in a total solar eclipse,” Dr. Robertson said, “Some consider it a once-in-a-lifetime event, you just have to be willing to travel to see it.”
Total solar eclipses happen all the time, just not in the same location. She said it’s not weird that there was one a couple of years ago and another again today.
“I think it’s really interesting how this rarely ever happens and it’s super cool to see it especially during the school day,” Singh said.
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“The best places to see it nearby are probably Carbondale, Illinois, or Cape Gerardo,” Dr. Robertson said.
MHS ran a modified B-Day so students could witness the solar eclipse.
“I’m excited to be on the football field with all my friends,” Dr. Robertson said.
Avanti Singh, senior, went outside to see the eclipse with the rest of MHS.
“I think it’s really interesting how this rarely ever happens and it’s super cool to see it especially during the school day,” Singh said.
