Nisky Moves Into the Darkness

During a certain day of the year, it’s completely dark. It's only noon, but it’s almost impossible to see. There are no clouds in the sky blocking the sun, but nonetheless, it seems like all of the light is sucked away. This event is called a Solar Eclipse, which is when the moon blocks the sun, thereby obstructing its view and plunging the world into darkness. 

There are four types of Solar Eclipses: total, partial, annular, and hybrid. There are only around two to five solar eclipses each year, so when one occurs, not only is it a rarity, but it offers everyone the opportunity to learn about our world and how events like the Solar Eclipse occur. According to NASA, this upcoming solar eclipse will be a total eclipse, meaning that the moon will fully block the sun from earth. The eclipse will pass over North America, which includes the US and other areas such as Canada and Mexico. Mr. Scott, a science teacher at the Niskayuna high school, helped shine light on the difference between a partial and total eclipse. According to Mr. Scott, this upcoming eclipse is so special because the path of totality, which causes “daytime darkness,” will be passing through a part of New York state. He shares a quote from the book Teaching a Stone to Talk by Annie Dillard, which showcases the immense difference between a partial and total eclipse: "Seeing a partial eclipse is very interesting.  It bears no resemblance to a total eclipse.  Seeing a partial eclipse bears the same relation to seeing a total eclipse as ... flying in an airplane does to falling out of one.  Although one experience precedes the other, it in no way prepares you for it."  So, it’s safe to say that the upcoming solar eclipse will be greatly different from the usual partial eclipses. Mr Scott pointed out that you can be anywhere in New York State on April 8 to experience a partial solar eclipse, but in order to experience totality, you will need to be in western, northwestern, or northern New York. The dark inner shadow (the umbra) will pass from Buffalo to Rochester to Plattsburgh, then to the states Vermont and New Hampshire.

Some schools are already planning ahead and closing on that day to allow students to see the Solar Eclipse. One of these districts is the Buffalo School District, which is notably the second largest district in the state. A month in advance, the school said that April 8th will be a day off, consequently giving 32,000 students and staff the opportunity to watch the Solar Eclipse. The closing of schools demonstrates the excitement surrounding the eclipse. After all, it has been nearly a century since a total solar eclipse in New York. This special event is a great chance for students to look beyond the classroom and their phones. They’ll get to view the real world with one of the beauties/mysteries it produces. 

There are other ways that schools can prepare for the eclipse other than closing. Teachers can teach students about solar eclipse glasses and encourage students to view the eclipse. They can also try teaching a small lesson about the eclipse on April 8th. All in all, there are many ways that this spectacular natural phenomena can be incorporated into everyday learning. 

Mr. Scott explained that the next total Solar Eclipse occurs on August 12, 2026. However, you will have to travel to Greenland, Iceland, or West Africa to see the total eclipse. Additionally, the average time span between two total Solar Eclipses viewable from the same place is 375 years. So, the opportunity to see a total solar eclipse in New York state is a huge, once in a lifetime chance. Everyday, students and staff are stuck inside a classroom, on their phones, chromebooks or other technology. The solar eclipse could be a great opportunity for people to look up and observe the world around them, so consider marking your calendars or buying Solar Eclipse glasses so that you won’t miss this spectacular event.