Solar eclipse fascinates viewers of all ages
ST. MARYS - A total solar eclipse captured the attention of North America on Monday afternoon.
As millions viewed the celestial spectacle that cut a path across Mexico, the United States and Canada, experts report it was North America’s biggest eclipse audience ever as almost everyone on the continent was guaranteed at least a partial eclipse.
While many watched from their porches, patios or decks, others ventured out-of-town to take in the eclipse, traveling closer to the path of totality.
Responses to a Daily Press Facebook post asking where people were viewing the eclipse, garnered an array of responses and photo submissions.
Laura Wilson Antonelli of Weedville stated her family experienced totality in Salamanca, New York.
“I’ve never experienced anything like that. It was unbelievable,” Antonelli said.
Kimberly Kunes and her husband Steve celebrated their 29th anniversary in Erie
“It was a miracle that we got to see. Totality. Best present ever!”, Kunes said.
Tom Dorsey said he and Jeanne viewed the eclipse from a cemetery in Franklin.
Throughout the region viewers checked in from St. Marys, Kersey, Ridgway, Johnsonburg, Weedville, Emporium, DuBois, Treasure Lake, Portland Mills,
Corry, Erie, Cambridge Springs, Brookville, Albion, Warren, Edinboro and North East to across the state in the Poconos.
Among the viewing areas spectators posted photos from were Winslow Hill in Benezette, Kinzua Bridge, Allegheny National Park and the Top of the World (Bucktail Overlook) in Cameron County.
The path of totality, approximately 115 miles wide, passed over 15 states. An estimated 44 million people reside within the path. According to the Associated Press, this may be the most viewed astronomical event in history as stated by National Air and Space Museum curator Teasel Muir-Harmony.
Out-of-state viewers reported in from Texas; Fort Mill, South Carolina; North Port, Florida; Sellersburg, Indiana; Lucille Ball Memorial Park; and just across the state lines throughout Ohio in Dayton, Willowick, Medina as well as in Jamestown, New York.
Lisa Dunmire checked in from Atlantic City, New Jersey where she was attending the 2023 Appliance Show where she was representing Western Home Appliances in St. Marys.
Throughout the region viewers experienced partly cloudy skies, having to sneak in views of the eclipse through passing clouds. Many experienced a chill as temperatures dropped as midday darkness fell across the region
During the full eclipse, the moon snuck in front of the sun entirely blocking its exposure to the Earth. At this point only the corona, the sun’s outer atmosphere, is visible. Just long enough for birds and other animals to fall silent. The longest period of darkness lasted 4 minutes and 28 seconds, twice as long as the 2017 eclipse due to the moon being closer to the Earth.
The next coast-tocoast eclipse on the continent will occur in 2045.