Story by Taylor Flaitz

During the total solar eclipse on April 8, it is unsafe to view the sun until the moon entirely blocks the sun and totality occurs. When the partial eclipse occurs, it is only safe to view the sun using special purpose solar filters that act in accordance with the requirements of the ISO 12312-2 international standard. These can be in the form of eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers (Source). Wearing your regular sunglasses is not enough as they transmit far more sunlight than is safe for our eyes. 

Always make sure that your solar filter is not damaged, scratched, or torn as this could make the purpose of the glasses or handheld viewers irrelevant. If you wear glasses normally, just put the eclipse glasses over your regular ones, or hold the handheld viewer in front of your glasses. If you want to look at the eclipse through a camera, telescope, or binoculars, you must make sure that you have a solar filter attached to the front of your optical device (Source).

People in the Alfred and Almond area are in the path of totality for a short period of time but can experience a longer period of totality by traveling 30-60 minutes to Dansville or Rochester. 

You do not need to stare at the eclipse for the whole time to experience it. The partial phases of a solar eclipse progress slowly and you can just take glances periodically and the motion of the moon will still be apparent. 

An alternative method for safe viewing of the partially eclipsed Sun is indirectly via pinhole projection. For example, cross the outstretched, slightly open fingers of one hand over the outstretched, slightly open fingers of the other, creating a waffle pattern. With your back to the sun, look at your hands’ shadow on the ground. The little spaces between your fingers will project a grid of small images on the ground, showing the sun as a crescent during the partial phases of any solar eclipse. A colander makes a terrific pinhole projector, as does a straw hat, a perforated spoon, or anything else with lots of small holes in it (Source). If you do not want to buy glasses or just want to view the eclipse in a unique way, these are also good options.

Vendors that are approved by the American Astronomical Society for solar glasses include: Rainbow Symphony, American Paper Optics, Explore Scientific, Lunt Solar Systems, and Flip’n Shades.

        In New York, there are special events where you can go to watch the eclipse including the Arcade and Attica Railroad, the Chautauqua Institution, at Gore Mountain where you can view the eclipse from a gondola, and many more (Source).

Story by Christopher Craft

Civilizations throughout the ages have viewed eclipses through a variety of mythological lenses. There are a few mainstays such as angry gods looking away or a creature eating the sun. Eclipses can be terrifying if you don’t understand why they happen and that idea hasn't changed.

The Incan believed in an all-mighty sun god named Inti. Solar eclipses were considered to be a sign of his wrath and displeasure. When eclipses happened, fasting was common and the emperor of the Incas would withdraw from public life during and after the event. On very serious occasions human sacrifice would be deemed necessary though very rare (Source).  Ancient Greeks believed in something similar. The Ancient Greeks believed that an eclipse, a word derived from the Greek word ekleípō which means disappearance or abandonment, was Zeus turning his back on their ruler and they would bring captives to substitute for their king. After the eclipse they would execute their captives, making sure that there is no longer any wrath. 

On the other hand, many Greeks had learned about eclipses and how to gauge when they would happen and in turn, stopped believing in the myths. In an interesting twist, the Vietnamese believed that a giant frog had swallowed the sun and its master, Hahn, had to convince him to spit it out (Source).

Present day eclipses have lost much of their religious power at least in the United States. We understand how to predict them and exactly how an eclipse happens. Much of the mystery has been lost, but in return we better understand one of the wonders of the world.

Story by Joey Taggart 

What happens when you view a solar eclipse without eye protection?

Viewing a solar eclipse without eye protection can damage your eyes. This fact is pretty well known, however the actual effect it can have on your eyes isn’t. Looking at the sun focuses an intense amount of light into your eye, this results in burning the cells in your retina known as photoreceptors.The photoreceptors take in the light and turn it into electricity which is then sent to your brain and allows you to see. Burning these cells due to sun exposure is known as solar retinopathy (source).

What is the cure?

Like many other blinding diseases, solar retinopathy has no cure. The cells can't be replaced so when you lose them, they’re gone forever.

What is this harm to your eyes like?

 Dr. Kumar of Henry Ford Health compares this disease to pixels on a television, pixels will die and the more dead pixels there are the less of the picture you can see, and solar retinopathy is the same way (source). The more cells you burn the less you can see. 

What are the symptoms of Solar Retinopathy?

The symptoms vary based on how much exposure your eyes have had. When experiencing solar retinopathy, a large blur or spot in your central vision will develop (source). If you have ever been exposed to a bright flash or have walked outside after being in a dark movie theatre you probably have seen a blur for a short time in your central vision. This is what solar retinopathy is like except the blur never goes away. 

How do you view an eclipse safely?

In order to safely view an eclipse you must use eye protection and no, sunglasses don't count. Solar approved filters and eclipse glasses can be found online and in local department stores. Not wanting to spend money on something that's only gonna last a few minutes is understandable, but lucky for you, safe viewing protection can be made by using household items. Using a cereal box or any box really, cut out a square on the top of the box in the right corner and cover it with aluminum foil, and poke a small pin hole into the aluminum foil. Now, cut another square out of the box on the left side. Turn away from the sun and point the pin hole at the sun, look into the hole on the left and you will see the pinhole projection of the solar eclipse. This is all it takes (see photo).

Story by Abby Hurd

The journalism and creative writing classes took a trip to the Rochester Museum & Science Center in Rochester on March 5. The students were asked to observe and then later write about what they noticed about past eclipses and the upcoming eclipse on April 8. During the field trip every group found at least one thing they enjoyed. Senior Taylor Flaitz said “I enjoyed the planetarium guide because he seemed very knowledgeable about the eclipse and space”. The guide talked about past eclipses, the upcoming eclipse, and constellations. Mrs. Sheryl House said her favorite part of the field trip was also the planetarium, “It was very different from the first planetarium I've been to, we sat on the ground and looked at the ceiling, but it was very enjoyable”. The planetarium is a dome-shaped theater where everyone can look up and gaze at a simulated night sky. Constellations and galaxies are projected on the ceiling, making it feel like you're actually stargazing. 

The Rochester Museum & Science Center is full of fun hands-on activities for all ages. Some of the exhibits that each group explored were Native peoples of the Americas, Electricity theater, at the Western door, inventor center, and wonders of water. Many students were surprised when they located the Counterintuitive Adaptations exhibit. In there they found black rat snakes, leopard geckos, a choco striped-knee tarantula, a rosehair tarantula, fox snakes, a Redfoot tortoise, and the one who caught the most attention, Slash the sloth. 

The field trip to the Rochester Museum & Science Center was an enjoyable experience and everyone thought it was nice to go out and experience the eclipse simulation in the planetarium.  Many learned something new about eclipses due to the well guided planetarium tour, and are looking forward to the upcoming eclipse on April 8. 

Story by Tighe Grigg

Solar eclipses are amazing celestial events that happen when the moon aligns between the Earth and the sun. The moon blocks out the sunlight and casts a shadow over the Earth’s surface. This natural phenomenon captivates people around the world.

The alignment of the moon, Earth, and sun happens about twice a year during a new moon phase. Resulting in the three different types of solar eclipses: total, partial, and annular. (Source)

A total solar eclipse, which can be experienced in the Rochester and Buffalo area April 8th, is when the moon completely covers the sun and is referred to as totality. This causes the area to turn dark like night for a brief period. Sophomore Matt Goho and Junior Caleb Roberts both said they will “definitely watch the eclipse.”

The first type of eclipse is a partial eclipse, a partial eclipse occurs when the moon only partially covers the sun, creating a crescent shaped shadow on the Earth’s surface. Roberts said “I’ve only seen a partial eclipse and I’m really excited to see totality.” A partial eclipse isn’t as dramatic as totality, but it still is mesmerizing to see the moon pass in front of the sun. (Source)

An annular eclipse occurs when the moon is farthest from the Earth. This is when the moon doesn’t completely cover the sun and the sun’s outer edges are visible. This creates a ring of light, or “ring of fire” as it is nicknamed, around the moon. (Source)

A solar eclipse is the result of the unique geometry of the sun, moon, and Earth. The moon orbits the Earth, occasionally crossing in front of the sun. 

 Solar eclipses are an amazing celestial event that offers a glimpse into the interactions between the sun, moon, and Earth. Watching a solar eclipse is beautiful and wonderful. The total eclipse especially should be observed as it only comes to America around every 20 years.

Story by Liam Carstens

The earth gets a solar eclipse every few years, but what about the other planets of the Solar System? For a solar eclipse to happen, the planet needs a moon. This rules out Venus and Mercury, the two planets closer than Earth to the sun which don’t have a moon.

Mars, the only non-gas giant with moons apart from Earth, does get solar eclipses. In fact, the Perseverance Rover saw Mars’s larger moon, Phobos, eclipse the sun on April 2022. However, Phobos is not large enough to fully eclipse the sun, so Mars only ever gets partial eclipses (Source).

On Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system, solar eclipses happen much more often than on Earth. The planet has a whopping 92 moons, 5 of which are large enough to cause a solar eclipse (Source). However, even if we could get to Jupiter, we couldn’t stand on it because it is made of gas.

Being similar to Jupiter in many ways, Saturn also has common solar eclipses with its big moons. Its iconic rings also cast a shadow on the planet, creating an effect similar to an eclipse (Source).

Neptune has large enough moons for solar eclipses, but because of how tilted its moons’ orbits are, solar eclipses are rare. Uranus also has eclipses from its many moons and shadows from its rings (Source).

Compared to all of the planets of the Solar System, Earth has a unique eclipse. When viewed from the ground, the moon appears to be the same size as the sun. During a full eclipse we can see the corona, or upper atmosphere of the sun, which is normally overpowered by the brightness of the sun’s surface (Source). This creates a stunning effect, which is never seen on any other planet because their moons are either too big or too small.

While several planets have solar eclipses, none create as beautiful a view as Earth’s. The total eclipse on April 8 will be a once in a lifetime event, and as it turns out, a once in the Solar System event.

Story by Vincent Craft

The Eclipse is a rare and incredible event. This time even more so with the generally close total eclipse you can drive to see. The event is best viewed without thinking about how to take a picture, try to fully take in the moment.

 That being said, if you would like to take some pictures of the eclipse there are a few things you will need to do first. The eclipse during totality can be seen by the naked eye and photographed by regular cameras, your biggest issue would come from the zoom your phone is capable of. Before, after, or during the eclipse (when not in path of totality) you will need some preparation. 

Taking photos with smartphones and DSLRs and DSLRMs are very different. On smartphones you can take pictures using a “solar filter”, these can be bought online and protects the lens (Source). If you are looking for a more close up or detailed image of the sun you will want to use a DSLR or DSLRM camera, they will also need a telephoto lens or be a point and shoot camera with a high power lens.

Remember to check your exposure settings because the light given off will be extreme. During transitions you should only change the shutter speed so you stay consistent (Source). For more in depth information on how to prepare your camera for the eclipse please check out the source linked.

 Story by Tina Xie

Among many astronomical events, a solar eclipse is one that attracts widespread attention from people around the world. So what are the solar eclipses of great scientific significance in history? The solar eclipse that had the most scientific significance presented in 1919. In 1912, Einstein had discovered that space is curved, and light will be deflected when passing through the edge of the sun. In 1915, he calculated that the deflection value of starlight at the edge of the sun during a solar eclipse was 1.74 arc seconds (Source).

       Just in time, there was a total solar eclipse on May 29, 1919. Of course, people hoped that during this solar eclipse, Einstein's prediction would be verified to be true or false. Einstein himself had long been convinced that his theory must be correct. The United Kingdom organized two solar eclipse observation teams: one went to Sobral in Northern Brazil, and the other, attended by the famous Lord Eddington, went to Principe Island in the Gulf of Guinea, Africa. A few months after the solar eclipse, Eddington's team's observations successfully verified Einstein's predictions. This statement has remained popular among the public ever since (Source).

       The deflection of starlight at the edge of the sun during a solar eclipse was reflected by photography at that time, but there are many factors that affect the imaging of photographic films, such as temperature changes, etc. In fact, the photographic plates of the 1919 solar eclipse observation cannot be calculated to accurately verify the light refraction value of Einstein's prediction. 

Since then, when solar eclipses occurred in 1922, 1929, 1936, 1947 and 1952, astronomers from various countries have organized observations to test the deflection of light, and the published results are inconsistent with Einstein's predictions. Until the total solar eclipse on June 30, 1973, Americans obtained a deflection value of 1.66"±0.18" in the Chingeti desert oasis in Mauritania. Between 1974 and 1975, astronomers used the Very Long Baseline interferometer to precisely observe the deflection of radiation from three radio sources caused by the sun outside the visible light band. Only then did they finally confirm Einstein's theory with an accuracy of less than 1% prophecy (Source).

Story By Amelia Lawrence

Solar eclipses have intrigued people for centuries, sparking curiosity about the cosmos. From ancient civilizations to modern science, the history of the solar eclipse is filled with fascinating stories and discoveries. The event of a Solar eclipse goes back farther than anyone can remember, but there are stories and beliefs that have been passed down through history and are still talked about today. (source)

People believed solar eclipses were signs from the gods or mythical creatures, like dragons, swallowing the sun. Ancient writings and artifacts from these cultures show how eclipses were interpreted as warnings of disasters or important events. 

In Medieval Europe, solar eclipses were met with fear and superstition. Many believed they were omens of bad luck or divine punishment. People would pray and perform rituals to protect themselves from harm. Many would gather in churches to seek guidance during solar eclipses. (Source)

Sailors used solar eclipses to help them navigate the seas. By observing the timing and duration of eclipses, sailors could determine their position on Earth which improved the accuracy of navigation charts and tools used by sailors. This helped them map new territories and navigate safely across oceans. Solar eclipses became important tools for exploration and discovery. Eventually scientists started studying solar eclipses to learn more about the sun and its effects on Earth. Special equipment and technology allow scientists to observe eclipses safely and gather valuable data. Solar eclipses are still exciting events that bring people together to marvel at the wonders of the universe.

Solar eclipses have captured the imagination of people throughout history, inspiring legends, fears, and scientific discoveries. Whether ancient civilizations or modern scientists, everyone can appreciate the beauty and mystery of a solar eclipse, and forever remember the wonders and excitement that the solar eclipse brings to us. (source)

Story By Kiana Yezarski

There are different ways that people can experience a solar eclipse throughout the United States. Many people can look at the eclipse with special glasses to protect their eyes, while those who are visually impaired can experience it with their other senses. Visually impaired people can hear bugs buzzing and birds chirping, and they can also experience a sudden change in temperature.

This is what visually impaired people should expect when experiencing a solar eclipse for the first time. First, they notice a change in temperature when it gets cooler. Why does that happen? The moon blocks the sunlight and heat it produces. When they listen to the sounds of nature, they should wait for the quiet of totality.  Don’t become intimidated by these changes in nature. Finally, as it becomes light again, birds start chirping and the temperature becomes warmer. This is an amazing experience that people can look forward to during their lifetime.

During the point of totality, nature becomes more relaxed. Birds are no longer chirping and bugs are no longer buzzing.  Visually impaired people, however, can’t see when totality is about to occur. Instead of looking at the sun, they can feel the change in temperature and hear the birds and bugs go silent as totality happens.  Visually impaired people can still enjoy solar eclipses along with their sighted peers.