Solar Eclipse 2017

We didn't travel to see the eclipse in its path of totality.  We stayed local and went to a park with a big open field where we'd be sure to have a good view but also hear and feel the reaction of others as this very cool event took place.  Lucky us: We were fortunate enough to be serenaded by our fellow viewers with a rousing rendition of "Total Eclipse of the Heart" as we reached peak coverage.

We were expecting 93% coverage here, and even though it didn't get totally dark, it was really cool to witness the change in light and temperature.  I have to say, that I really don't mind having just 7% of the sun's rays beating on me in August.  It was like someone had drawn the shades over a hot window.  Things cooled off, I didn't have to wear my sunglasses, and a slight breeze began to blow.  Perfect!  That's the kind of weather I wish we had every day!

So here are some photos of the big day. We didn't do a whole unit on the sun or the moon in preparation.  I figured the Apologia Astronomy class we did a couple years ago would have to suffice.  Interestingly, my oldest daughter just started an astronomy class this month and she's using MasterBooks as her curriculum.  She is really enjoying it so far and this was the ultimate lab!

We had a cool set up with our binoculars projecting an image onto poster board.  The only problem was that they were taped a little loosely onto the tripod and somebody had to hold it in place THE ENTIRE TIME or we'd lose the image.

       



The free glasses that we picked up at the library were great!  I'm pretty sure they were authentic, and not lame counterfeit glasses.  Some of us wanted to be extra safe though and put the glasses through paper plates to really keep out those rays!
    

      



Dang it! We had made a slew of pinhole viewers too, but we left them at home.  So we didn't get to try those out.

Here's what our little did during the eclipse.  But when we got home she kept reenacting the whole thing by looking up at the ceiling, covering her eyes with her hands and saying, "bright! bright!".   Ok....