Solar eclipse makes its mark across region
Published 12:13 am Tuesday, April 9, 2024
A look at the sun at 2:15 p.m. Monday, just shortly after the eclipse started. Photo courtesy of Ron Card.
A look at the solar eclipse as of 2:30 p.m. Monday, when the moon begins to cross over. Photo courtesy of Ron Card.
A look at the sun at 2:45 p.m. Monday, as the moon continues to cross over. Photo courtesy of Ron Card.
A look at the sun at 3 p.m. Monday. Photo Courtesy of Ron Card.
A look at the sun at 3:15 p.m. Monday. Photo courtesy of Ron Card.
A look at the solar eclipse at 3:30 p.m. Monday, as it approached totality. Photo courtesy of Ron Card.
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A total solar eclipse is a rare thing and one that all of Central and Southside Virginia got to witness on Monday, April 8. It’s going to be a while before another one, as the next eclipse of this type isn’t expected to arrive until August 3, 2044.
Across the region, people stepped outside, pulled over cars or reflected the event through their phones, to watch the moon make its way across the sky. In Cumberland County, teachers handed out glasses and let students go outside to experience the event. Unlike neighboring districts like Prince Edward and Buckingham, Cumberland County kept classes going on Monday, with teachers in elementary, middle and high school using the event in a variety of ways to teach science.
It also means that as it stands, Cumberland County schools will get out earlier than their neighboring counterparts. Prince Edward and Buckingham had to each add a day to their semester in order to take off classes Monday. There was some concern in Prince Edward about how severe the eclipse would be and if it would cause problems for bus drivers. Thankfully across the region, the answer to that question was no.
Instead, students lined up on sidewalks, sat in the grass and talked with friends while watching the moon cover the sun for a few minutes. Then in turn, teachers got to answer questions and use those experiences, once the groups headed back into the classroom.
But for those who missed the solar eclipse, Herald reader Ron Card has you covered. Card, a professional photographer in his own right, took multiple pictures of the eclipse at 3 p.m., 3:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., as we headed closer and closer to totality.
