The entire Smith STEM community was invited to watch the partial solar eclipse on Monday, Aug. 21.

By Ronni Newton

School won’t begin in West Hartford for another week, but many Smith STEM students – as well as their families and friends – came to school more than a week early for a chance to participate in a historical event.

Monday’s astronomical event was called the “Great American Solar Eclipse” because at least a partial eclipse was visible throughout the country, with a total eclipse visible in a swath that cut diagonally from Oregon in the northwest to South Carolina in the southeast. In West Hartford, at its peak, about two-thirds of the sun was covered by the moon.

Smith STEM Specialist Sharon Zajack organized an eclipse viewing party, providing an opportunity for students and their families to gather and at the same time safely view the eclipse.

She ordered more than 100 pairs of special eclipse glasses so that attendees could look at the sun without damaging their eyes, and the crowd that gathered shared the glasses so all had a chance experience the wonder of nature.

The next major solar eclipse to be visible in Connecticut will be on April 8, 2024, and will be visible from Texas to Maine.

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Eclipse viewing at Smith STEM in West Hartford. Submitted photo

Eclipse viewing at Smith STEM in West Hartford. Submitted photo

Eclipse viewing at Smith STEM in West Hartford. Submitted photo

Eclipse viewing at Smith STEM in West Hartford. Submitted photo

Eclipse viewing at Smith STEM in West Hartford. Submitted photo