Historic Solar Eclipse Observed by Many at the North Shore Schools
Article by HS Student, Robert Levy
On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse occurred over the United States. This eclipse will be the last total solar eclipse on the continental United States until 2044, which will only be visible from northern Montana. HS student, Robby Levy said, “Totality missed North Shore High School, so we observed a partial solar eclipse of 90% coverage, or 90% of the sun was covered by the moon. The partial eclipse started at 2:11 PM and ended at 4:36 PM, with maximum coverage at 3:26 PM.”
The North Shore School District handed out eclipse glasses to students in all five schools throughout the day. Eclipse glasses protect the eyes from damage that occurs from gazing at the sun. In addition to handing out the glasses, science classes districtwide discussed solar eclipses and what makes this eclipse special. By the start of 9th period (2:15 PM), over 100 North Shore High School students from all grades funneled into the courtyard to observe the eclipse. Younger North Shore students, faculty, staff, administrators, and families from around the district also watched this historic solar eclipse from various locations.
Robby stated, “The moon slowly covered the sun during the 9th period. HS Earth Science teacher Mr. Timlin set up a viewing box that magnified an inverted image of the eclipse without having to directly look at the sun. A large sunspot 4 times the size of Earth was visible on the projection, which excited students and teachers alike. As the maximum eclipse approached, trees and peg boards revealed crescent-shaped shadows on the ground. Overall, the students were excited to be there and see a rare phenomenon.”
A partial solar eclipse will occur March 29, 2025, at sunrise on Long Island, but you will need to wait until 2079 for a total solar eclipse to pass over North Shore High School. If anyone is interested in solar or lunar eclipses, a comprehensive database of eclipses is found at www.timeanddate.com/eclipse. The next total solar eclipse anywhere will be on Aug 12, 2026, and visible from Greenland, Iceland, and Spain, so if there are any eclipse chasers out there, you might want to book your tickets soon!
Photos by Shelly Newman