Today was the solar eclipse. And while my family did not travel for the eclipse to get to somewhere with total coverage it was still a fun time for us.
For another time the schools were not letting the kids do anything for the solar eclipse (stupid!). So, we decided to pull the girls for about 40 minutes. It happened that for both kids that aligned with lunches for the most part. We all got together at a park near one school and I setup my solar scope and we had the glasses and a colander as well.
It was a good view. Here in AZ we had about 65% coverage and the sky was clear. I was a little worried this morning because the clouds were a bit thick when we got up and headed to school. I teach from home on Monday in my basement, and when I let my online class go early so they could see the eclipse too (not sure how many really did it, but oh well) I looked out the window and it was a bit dark still. I though, “Oh well it is still cloudy.” But then almost immediately went, “Wait the sun is being blocked out by the moon already maybe it is clear out there.” and it was.
So, at the park we got a good view. During our time we also had a number of random people come by as well since I had a telescope set up and they looked through it as well. It was pretty cool because as the moon as moving off the sun there was a rather large solar prominence (or maybe a flare) coming off the side of the sun as well. It made for quite a cool sight to see. The flare is about about 10 on a clock (upper left). (You can click on image and can maybe make it bigger.)
Both girls loved it. “B” and I loved it. I was very happy we were here in AZ to enjoy it today. While it would have been really cool to be somewhere in the path of totality I am quite pleased with what we got today without having to make a special trip.
That’s an awesome family experience.
A colander is a great idea. Did you come up with that on your own or read about it somewhere else?
High-Fives,
Your Bro
(living where there was no eclipse.)
My wonderful wife found it somewhere. It was all her idea.