JSEC students had a rare treat this past week where students had the opportunity to check out a total solar eclipse which crossed across North America, Mexico, the USA, and Canada.  It arrived in the RI area between 2PM-4:30pm with the peak being around 3:15PM.  Ironically that was our school’s dismissal time so it gave great opportunity to toss on eclipse glasses and see this very unique event.   Here are some facts about this year’s eclipse:

• It will be one of the most-watched live natural events in history.
• It will be the longest totality on land since 2010 and until 2027.
• Over two-thirds of the path of totality is at sea.
• Venus, Jupiter and the “Devil Comet” may be visible during totality.
• It’s the result of a remarkable coincidence.

“It’s cool that you can see it with my special eclipse glasses on,” added Senior Diane Dukeuze, As she learned about what she was viewing as she prepared to view.

According to The Associated Press, a total solar eclipse crossed a substantial portion of the continental U.S. for the first time since Aug. 21, 2017.

Having two total eclipses cross the continental United States only seven years apart is a rarity. Before 2017, the last total eclipse to cover this much American territory was in 1970, when the moon’s shadow moved out of the Gulf of Mexico, across Florida’s western panhandle, and up the East Coast.