On Apr 24, 2024, a total solar eclipse made its way across North America. It passed over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Total solar eclipses happen when the moon passes between the Sun and Earth, it completely blocks the face of the sun. Depending where you are located and how much of the eclipse hits that area will determine how dark it gets, it can get so dark it looks as if it was night.

This was the first major solar eclipse since 2017. The juniors now were all in 5th grade at the time. I remember going to the visitor stands near the football field and watching it. This year It started right before we got out of school so during 5th period we got our glasses for the eclipse. Then some classes went outside during the 5th to watch the eclipse.

In order to watch the eclipse you have to have special glasses. We have to wear these because if you look directly at the eclipse it can damage your eyes.  It is also bad to point your phone camera at it as well. You also shouldn’t use other things such as telescopes, binoculars, or any other things used for looking into the sky. 

During the eclipses the visibility depends on the weather. For us it wasn’t very clear, it was pretty cloudy. It didn’t affect us too much, thankfully. We could still see the eclipse but it would only be when clouds weren’t in the way. Some places got lucky and had completely clear skies. 

Another big thing that happened around here was some schools got out early because they thought that it was going to be darker than expected and it wouldn’t be safe for students and buses to be on the road. Montgomery county however had a regular school day.