Solar Eclipse: Totality Cool

April 8, 2024 was supposed to be a once in a lifetime opportunity for many New Orleans residents as a total solar eclipse moved across North America, and New Orleans was predicted to experience a partial eclipse of 90 percent. Unfortunately, the clouds had other plans and covered our view of the sun. Still, JCCS students and staff were prepared. Students still got to enjoy the experience of the entire school going outside wearing eclipse glasses and attempting to get a partial view of the eclipse. April 8, 2024 will be a day we will always remember.

A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, completely blocking the Sun's glow. There have been 15 complete eclipse occurrences to affect at least a part of the continental U.S. over the past 150 years (since the year 1867).  An eclipse only happens from time to time, because the Moon doesn't orbit in the same plane as the Sun and Earth do. The path across Earth's surface is limited and the period is brief (a maximum of just over seven and a half minutes). The solar beams can boil the human eye lens and generate profound eye damage. Therefore, viewers must wear eclipse glasses that comply with the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard, according to NASA.

Weather Underground. “A Historical Perspective on Total Solar Eclipses in the U.S.” Wunderground.com, 2017, www.wunderground.com/cat6/historical-perspective-total-solar-eclipses-us. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.