Whether individuals bought special glasses, or preferred to view the event through pictures taken by others, the solar eclipse has caused quite the hype in recent days.
Being referred to as the “Great American Eclipse,” on Monday the area got a slight glimpse at just what all the talk was about.
Many may have stayed in the comfort of their home, or drove out for a view.
The Bradford Regional Airport was a popular destination for those who wanted to see the eclipse, with cars full of people showing up.
Even though our area was not one of full totality, some areas were in full darkness. The event was enjoyed by many through special eclipse glasses.
Around 2:30 p.m. was when the eclipse was in the best view for those living in the surrounding areas.
However, Alice Steis, of St. Marys, was already out in her chair at 1:45 p.m to catch a glimpse.
“I stayed until the end,” said Steis. “I was amazed at what a pair of one dollar glasses could do.”
Steis, who lives out in the country, stated that she heard the eclipse could cause animals to act strange.
She then when on to say that she smelled skunk outside, having only ever smelled it at night, and wondered if this had anything to do with the recent event.
“I enjoyed every minute of it,” she stated. “I even wish I had gone out sooner.”
Linda Rankin, of Bradford, has seen many eclipses in her time, but still enjoys watching them.
Rankin stated, “I put a container of water outside, and checked on the progress of the eclipse every now andthen by looking at the reflection of the sun on the water.”
She got plenty of photos during the event as well, even capturing what she described as “Nature’s Pinhole Effect.”
This happens as sun filters through the leaves on trees onto surfaces such as roads and driveways, creating crescent shapes of the eclipse.
For some, they even traveled to enjoy the experience.
Jeanette Mosier watched the solar eclipse from start to finish in Hopkinsville, Ky.
She stated that there were completely clear skies for viewing the event.
“I am still processing how beautiful it all was,” said Mosier.
She believes that photos truly do not do it justice, and that you had to see it in person.
This was her first eclipse, and she shared that she is already planning for the next one.
Perhaps after the event passed, there were even some effects.
Casey Warner, of Bradford, mentioned that it was bright and she was seeing black spots post viewing.
Those who were looking for creative ways to view the eclipse may have turned to building contraptions of their own.
This is exactly what the Minard Run Oil company did, using cereal boxes with pin point holes in them, and also used welding masks.
Jennifer Smith, who works for the company, stated that they had an eclipse viewing party with all kinds of round food.
The only complaint she had was that she wished it had been more noticeable from our area.
“It was really neat,” said Smith. “It was worth taking time out of the day to watch because something like this doesn’t happen every day.”
Whether sitting on the porch, or standing miles away from home for a glimpse, the 2017 total solar eclipse was surely an event for the books.
