Vineyarders Marvel at Partial Solar Eclipse

Aviva Abramowitz dons coveted accessory of the day: protective eyewear. Jeanna Shepard

Monday, August 21, 2017

Residents of Martha's Vineyard joined the rest of the country Monday in catching a glimpse of the solar eclipse. A total eclipse was visible to people in a 70-mile swath of the country from Oregon to South Carolina. On the Island the solar show was less spectacular but still striking, with 65 per cent of the sun obscured at the peak of the eclipse.

For two and a half hours Islanders gathered at libraries and on sidewalks to look skyward. Protective eclipse glasses were a hot commodity, with groups sharing the glasses at the parking lot of up-Island Cronig's, the courtyard of Behind the Bookstore, and in backyards. Some used makeshift sunspotters and solar telescopes. The obscured sun cast crescent moon shadows through tree leaves and the bright midday sun dimmed. By 4 p.m. the sun was back to its normal glory and it was a regular summer day again on the Island.

Comments (3)

Scientist, MV
To many, myself included, agreed that the partial eclipse was all hype and little substance. To the eye, available light was not reduced by 35 percent. Others will pull out their slide rules and justify the number all many will just agree without seeking to understand. The same is true for our current human caused vs native climate change. We are forced to believe without reason. Hence the reason for all the resistance. Just explain all the basis and assumptions and allow me to interpret them and then we can engage in how to best address the issue. In fact this method could work for all issues. Huh......
August 22, 2017 - 9:36am
AM Reardon, Chilmark
If one was expecting the same subjective experience as a total eclipse of the sun, than one was ill-informed and therefore disappointed. The partial eclipse many of us witnessed was all that one would expect and at that, quite fascinating even without achieving darkness. Think about how much light is warming the earth when 70% is still blocked!! Amazing, isn't it? As for human-caused global warming, one must be prepared to go beyond sound bites to understand. But if you are really interested, you can access the science that shows beyond doubt that we as humans contribute to our current warming planet. Puzzling is the fact that the writer identifies himself/herself as "Scientist" but presents no actual facts to support his/her assertions. Unfortunate and not very scientific.
August 23, 2017 - 4:02pm
BruceB, Long Island
Many probably do not remember that back in March 1970, Nantucket was the only point of land in the United States that experienced 100 percent totality from a solar eclipse. Most areas on the east coast only experienced 90-97 percent totality. Yesterday's eclipse of about 70 percent did cause the temperature to drop 3 degrees during the event.
August 22, 2017 - 10:59am

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