Eclipse Expectations Extinguished

The Solar Eclipse of 2024 was an exciting event for those in and around the path of totality (or darkness). You would think 87 percent totality would make the sky a little bit darker than when a cloud blocks the sun, but if you were to ask someone who didn’t know about the eclipse on Monday about the weather, they’d probably tell you it was really sunny out. That’s how uneventful and disappointing it was, and the students who attended Monday’s showing of the event hosted by Dr. Frank were disappointed as well. While they were able to see the sun halfway covered (an extraordinary sight), the expectations they held for the event evaporated when it was 3:21 pm (the supposed peak of the eclipse) and there was still light outside. 

While students at Blake and across Maryland were faced with rays of disappointing sunshine, nearby states such as New York and Pennsylvania were in complete darkness for the expected four minutes. While waiting for the moon to move away from the sun after the aforementioned peak time, I saw many students leave. I also noticed the collective patience of the teacher who hosted the event wearing thin, and the viewing became more of a free period than a spectacular event. Honestly, I hope the next eclipse in 2044 passes through Maryland and Blake gets to experience a more fulfilling solar eclipse viewing.