Published: Aug 25, 2017 12:00 am
For the first time in 38 years, the continental United States experienced a total solar eclipse on Monday, August 21. Despite Newtown not being in the line of totality, which stretched diagonally across the country from Oregon to South Carolina, residents were still able to see the moon block a portion of the sun starting at 1:25 and ending around 4 pm.The Newtown Bee showcases the many viewing parties that took place and images of the eclipse shared by local residents.
Since staring at the sun can cause permanent eye damage, even during the partial darkness of an eclipse, many local families sought out specialized eclipse glasses or made pinhole viewers to safely watch the celestial event.
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Also, make sure to hold on to those ISO-certified glasses and handmade pinhole viewers, because the next solar eclipse over North America is expected to occur in just seven years, on April 8, 2024.
On Monday, August 21, Newtown experienced a partial solar eclipse from 1:25 to 4 pm. Pictured from left are siblings Riley, Casey, and Bennett Quinn of Sandy Hook, wearing their special solar eclipse glasses and looking up to the sky in amazement. (photo courtesy of Ryan Quinn)
Pictured from left is Robby LaPorta, Josh Ketchum, and Jack Ketchum viewing the solar eclipse on the bridge by Ram Pasture. (photo courtesy of Robert LaPorta)
Andrew Swierbut, 12, and Carly Swierbut, 16, had fun making their own solar eclipse viewers and used them on August 21. (photo courtesy of Janet Swierbut)
While at Fairfield Hills, Angela Viesto used her phone's camera to capture the solar eclipse through welding glasses. Pictured is the partial solar eclipse. (Angela Viesto photo)
On August 21, Lynn Kovak was able to capture images of the solar eclipse through special glasses, including this one showing the partial eclipse. (Lynn Kovak photo)
The solar eclipse left many in shock and awe, including the Piccuillo family in Sandy Hook. Pictured from left are Andrew, Jameson, and Todd Piccuillo. (photo courtesy of Tracy Piccuillo)
Erik Holst-Grubbe, chairman of the Business & Applied Arts Department at Newtown High School, pointed to the Astro Scan, which shows the shadow of the moon passing over the sun during the solar eclipse. Not photographed is NHS science teacher Tim DeJulio, who set up the Astro Scan for the big event. (Debi Modzelewski photo)
Pictured from left are Tyler Harrison and Thomas Spieser of Boy Scout Troop 270 who used a telescope to view the Great American eclipse while working towards their Eclipse merit badge. (photo courtesy of Trent Harrison)
Twins Katherine and Caroline D'Angelo, 11, celebrated their first solar eclipse with their grandmother Jo-Ann D'Angelo. On the Church Hill Road sidewalk, the three gazed up at the sky with their ISO-certified glasses to watch the moon eclipse the sun's face. (Bee Photo, Silber)
While stationed at the top of Church Hill Road, by the flagpole, Mike Salaris took photos of the solar eclipse on August 21, including this image that shows the moon partially obscuring the sun. (Mike Salaris photo)
