Tag: eclipse

Chattanooga, Chattanooga outreach, community, Family

Sun-Less Soiree

Written by Maleah Holder

Rising Rock team 4 speaks with Mike Maddalena about the 2024 total solar eclipse and the people that it brought together. Mike serves as the publicity chair for the Barnard Astronomical Society of Chattanooga, providing outreach to the community of Greater Chattanooga through monthly star parties and other events.

On April 8th, 2024, the world went dark. Birds soared across a 360-degree sunset as spectators below craned their necks up to the sky to see that the sun had been blotted out by the moon. The solar eclipse is often referred to as a once-in-a-lifetime event, but for many, it became twice. 

After the 2017 eclipse left viewers hungering for more, families, photographers and astronomers gathered in preparation for the next event, leading to thousands gathering under the black hole sun in April despite the heat and cloud cover. 

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Chattanooga, community, Environment, outdoors

Sun Chasers

Written by Lexi Foley

Emily and Jacob Roberts describe their experience observing the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.

Heads and fingers pointed to a darkened sky as they waited for the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse. A million pairs of eyes from across the nation watched as the moon danced in front of the sun for a brief four-and-a-half minutes. 

White glimmering light encircled a group of strangers, including viewers Jacob Roberts and his family, united under the low glow of the covered sun. A path of totality drew in as the world experienced darkness at 2:00 p.m. together. 

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Chattanooga, Chattanooga outreach, community, Environment, History, outdoors, teachers

Ecliptic Education

Written by Taylor McKinley

Courtney Lewis, activity director for the Chattanooga Public Library, discusses what an eclipse is and why it is important for people to learn about it.

As the moon intercepts perfectly between the earth and the sun, casting a shadow, a solar eclipse brings individuals from all walks of life together, all pausing to gaze upward and witness history.

Over 200 patrons gathered around the Chattanooga Public Library on April 8, 2024 starting around 2:30 P.M. to witness the rare solar eclipse through Oreos, protective glasses and interactive games. 

“For this eclipse we really made sure that people know that they can get glasses here,” Courtney Lewis, Chattanooga Public Library activities director, said. “That we are going to be celebrating with them, so there are going to be a lot more people that have a central place where they can come do fun things and experience it in a safe place. “ 

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