Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
A crowd gathered at the Ironwood Carnegie Library Monday to get a look at the solar eclipse. Alex Hunt, 13, left and Joey Lauzon, 10, use special glasses designed to protect their eyes to look at the sun. See more Eclipse coverage on page 5.
By RICHARD JENKINS
Ironwood - Even though the overcast sky limited the ability to view Monday's solar eclipse, residents packed the Ironwood Carnegie Library's back lawn for a chance to catch a glimpse through the clouds.
Over 150 people were estimated to have attended the library's eclipse watching event, forcing attendees to share the special glasses needed to allow people to look at the sun without damaging their eyes.
"We are very pleased with the turnout," Library Director Lynne Wiercinski said. "I don't think we expected to have quite so many people, but we're thrilled - we're thrilled."
The library also had some of its computers set up inside to stream coverage of the eclipse for a better view of the event.
Along with presenting information on the eclipse and how to safely watch it, the library served hot dogs and refreshments.
"It's been cool, it's been very cool," Wiercinski said. "Lots of anticipation for an event that you won't see for (another several decades)."
Retired teacher Naomi Wegmeyer also played guitar and sang songs that referenced the sun in their lyrics.
The eclipse started at 11:49 a.m., reaching the maximum coverage - where approximately 80 percent of the sun was blocked out for by the moon - at 1:10 p.m. The eclipse ended at 2:30 p.m.
Many in attendance were excited for the chance to personally see the event - which is the first eclipse in 99 years to sweep from coast to coast in the United States.
"I was actually excited about seeing a solar eclipse for the first time through my eyes, instead of on TV or Youtube," said Alex Hunt, 13, whose favorite subject in school was science.
While the moon lines up between the sun and Earth perfectly every one to three years, the parts of the earth where the eclipse can be observed usually isn't as heavily populated as the path of Monday's eclipse.
After the events around the eclipse; the library is holding a drawing for prizes as part of the culminating celebration of its summer reading program.
