The first North American total solar eclipse since 2017 took place on April 8. Although Milledgeville was not in the path of totality GC students took part in looking at the solar eclipse through glasses handed out by the Physics Club, witnessing the last visible eclipse until 2045.
According to NASA, a total solar eclipse is essentially when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth and completely blocks the face of the sun. There is a narrow path of totality that will result in darkness as the moon completely covers the sun. The longest time that totality will occur will be in Mexico for four minutes and 32 seconds, according to Time.
The 2024 path of totality starts in Mexico, goes across the United States and then into Montreal, Canada. In the U.S., the path of totality will travel from the Texas-Mexico border northeast, crossing cities such as Cleveland, Ohio, Buffalo, New York and Burlington, Vermont.
Outside of the path of totality, the eclipse is still a significant astronomical event. People all over North America able to view the eclipse stopped what they were doing, put on solar viewing glasses and spent a few minutes staring into the sky.
During an eclipse, many groups of people are known to look for the deeper meaning in the event. Astrologically, an eclipse represents times of unexpected change, new opportunities and reset.
Some Christian biblical philosophers take the eclipse as a time to feel awe and thank God, referencing Psalm 19:1 that “ … the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” Several Muslims observe a similar belief, taking the eclipse as time to reconnect and remember God’s creation.
At GC, students went outside to observe the eclipse for only the second time in most of their lifetimes.
“I love it; unfortunately, it is not going to be in totality, so I cannot see the corona or Baily’s beads, but I am glad we can see it now,” said Peyton Cusick, a senior computer science major.
The corona is the halo effect created during a total eclipse. It describes when the Moon is completely aligned in front of the sun and all that is visible is a whitish light around the face of the Moon. Baily’s beads are similar, in that they appear poking out from around the Moon’s shadow, but they get their name because the effect mirrors little beads of light.
Though Milledgeville was far from the effects of totality, students could still feel the difference in the temperature when the eclipse was taking place.
“It got cold for a little bit at the peak time of 3:05:43,” Cusick said.
The Physics Club was handing out glasses for safe viewing of the eclipse so that students who wanted to take part in the viewing would be able to do so safely. An eclipse is a great astronomical wonder, but according to NASA, the eclipse does not change the danger that can be caused by viewing any part of the Sun without protection.
“The Sun looks like the Moon right now,” said Sydney Logan, a junior management information systems major.
Even though the shape that the Sun makes behind the Moon appears the same as a crescent Moon in the night sky, it is not safe to view with the naked eye.
