By Scarlett Anderson and Gigi Blumberg
On April 8, 2024, Buffalo got to experience the amazing total solar eclipse! During the event, the moon completely covered the sun and blocked its light from shining on Earth. This was an incredible experience due to the last total solar eclipse coming through Western New York in 1925. As students at Kenmore West, we were fortunate to have the day off to safely view this event with friends and family, appreciating the occasion as the spectacle that it was made out to be.
Although a total solar eclipse is amazing to watch, it can cause vision impairments. NASA announced that everyone who planned to look at the solar eclipse should wear ISO safety glasses that cause everything to be completely dark besides the moon covering the sun. It was said that any kind of magnifying device, such as binoculars or telescopes, should not be used. Typically, without the proper eyewear, looking at the sun during this time for even a second could impair your vision.
It was unfortunate that on the date of the solar eclipse, the sky was significantly clouded, partially hiding the spectacle. The eclipse was beautiful when not hidden behind the clouds, and during totality, the sky cleared a significant amount for a breathtaking view. The extra day off was put to good use. We hope you put on your eclipse glasses and enjoyed the show.