On August 21, a total solar eclipse occurred, visible to the entire United States. A solar eclipse is when the moon passes in front of the sun and blocks it. The last time the contiguous United States saw a total solar eclipse was February 26, 1979. Not only that, but this solar eclipse was the first in 99 years to be seen across the entire continent.
Solar eclipses may be interesting to view, but it is dangerous at the same time. Without proper sunglasses, staring directly at the sun can cause serious eye damage. A man from Oregon warned people to never stare at the sun without special glasses. More than fifty years ago, the man stared at the sun without the special glasses and ended up burning his retina. Safety precautions must always be taken before viewing the eclipse.
Many students across the United States received special sunglasses for the solar eclipse and were able to view it during school. According to Alexis Tabibian, a student from Academy of the Canyons, “The solar eclipse was great because the sun looked like a banana and the shadows I saw were very interesting. The light throughout the day was very strange and even seemed a bit brighter. Overall, I had fun learning about the solar eclipse with all my friends.”
Some schools did not allow the younger children to view the solar eclipse due to safety reasons. In the end, this experience influenced many people to take interest in eclipses.
Across the continent, people were celebrating and having fun viewing the solar eclipse. People cheered and cried due to the eclipse’s beauty. If it was silent enough, there were sounds of animals chirping and moving. According to many businessmen, many tourists traveled to campsites and hotels to view the solar eclipse.
If there are people who have not seen the solar eclipse, the next total solar eclipse is coming up in 2024 in Mexico.