Solar Eclipse Special Edition August 25 2017
Students discover and witness the eclipse at ThunderRidge High School and uncover the culture and science of one of nature’s most incredible phenomenons 1991 W Wildcat Reserve PKWY Highlands Ranch CO 80129 Facebook: Thunder Ridge Newspaper
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August 25, 2017
GRIZZLIES WATCH ECLIPSE WITH ANTICIPATION Kiana Marsan
Cover photo illustration by Brenden Geiselhardt
As Monday, Aug. 21, quickly approached, individuals began preparations for the first total solar eclipse to cross the entire United States in 99 years. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon rests between the Earth and the sun and aligns along an imaginary line of nodes that, “represents the intersection of the orbital planes of the moon and Earth,” according to NASA in “How Eclipses Work.” The moon creates two types of shadows during an eclipse, one only visible if viewing from the path of totality, where there is close to 100 percent coverage of the sun, and the other which is only a partial coverage of the sun. Highlands Ranch, however, was not in the path of totality. Rather than seeing it in 92 percent coverage, a number of Grizzlies sought to see the solar eclipse in totality for “a life-changing or even spiritual experience,” said Dave Jones, CEO of StormCenter Communications, in an interview with CNN. Among others, Colorado’s nearby states of Nebraska, Wyoming, Kansas, and Idaho were in the path of totality. Physics and engineering teacher Wilbur Sameshima traveled to the panhandle of Nebraska, near the city of Scottsbluff, equipped with solar glasses, telescope and a camera. It took him more than 6 hours to get home. “I’d rank it as one of the top 10 things I’ll ever experience in my whole life,” he said afterwards, “It’s something you have to experience— just seeing a picture doesn’t do it justice—you have to see it, you have to feel it.” The eclipse certainly impacted
‘Before it happened, the shadow looked like a thunderstorm, a dark cloud coming. Then, 360 degrees around us, there was a sunset that left an orange glow on the horizon.’ Wilbur Sameshima physics, engineering teacher
ThunderRidge and the surrounding community. “I think ThunderRidge did a great job,” said Assistant Principal Sean Patterson. “The teachers organized some activities and let the kids go outside, and the students did what they were supposed to do and went on with their day.” The moon’s shadow touched the sun’s edge at 10:23 a.m. until it passed completely at 1:14 p.m. It was at maximum coverage at 11:47 a.m.—for ThunderRidge students, during A-lunch or their 6th period. Students and teachers alike ventured outside to see the event, looking up at the sky with their eclipse glasses. “The way the light became dimmer was really cool. Although, I expected it to get a little bit darker, it was still worth seeing,” said sophomore Sarah Lewakowski, who watched it at ThunderRidge. Sophomore Kinsey Preece, who watched it in Wyoming, said, “It [the eclipse] was life-changing and such a surreal feeling.” While the school was unable to provide glasses for all students, the science department hosted numerous activities outside during both
lunches to enhance individuals’ viewing experience and their understanding of the science behind eclipses. They had prepared projection techniques for the indirect viewing of the eclipse for students without glasses. Several teachers allowed their 6th-period students to venture outside to witness it. Others livestreamed it in the background during classroom instruction. For those in classes, it was ultimately at the discretion of their teacher to decide what measures would be taken to view it. Psychology teacher Diann Schultz said she believes that schools should be cancelled to allow more students to witness this historical eclipse. “For most of us, it [the eclipse] is a once-in-a-lifetime event that we will never be able to see again,” she said. Those who viewed the eclipse were highly advised to do so with protective glasses, lest they risk serious eye damage. To prevent that, the school sent out emails to parents, students, and teachers on the proper conduct during the eclipse. In the emails, they emphasize that while they did not have the personnel to monitor the entire student body and ensure they had proper glasses, they planned to do all in their capability to maintain student safety. To reiterate these safety guidelines, instructions were read out loud for students during seminar. On how he would describe the eclipse to those that were unable to view it, Sameshima said: “Before, it happened, the shadow looked like a thunderstorm, a dark cloud coming. Then, 360 degrees around us, there was a sunset that left an orange glow on the horizon.”
August 25, 2017
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CULTURES EXPLAIN THE ECLIPSE DIFFERENTLY Kiana Marsan
Lia Hanchett
Two ThunderRidge students prepare to watch the eclipse together with safety glasses. People across the nation on Monday were able to experience an historic event that has enthralled viewers through the centuries; it even has been represented in cave drawings. And that eclipse is guaranteed to keep humans mesmerized into the future. As captivating as the solar eclipse is in the present, it’s occurrence in ages without the aid of modern technologies provoked the creation of myths around the world, each explaining the eclipse in a unique way. Cultural stories and legends describe the solar eclipse, most
involving mythical figures eating or stealing the sun. “Many cultures explain eclipses, both solar and lunar, as a time when demons or animals consume the sun or the moon,” said E.C. Krupp, director of the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, California, in an interview with National Geographic Magazine. "In Vietnam, a frog or a toad [eats] the moon or the sun,” while, "The Vikings saw a pair of sky wolves chasing the sun or the moon." As described in an article from the National Geographic magazine, “In China, people believe that a Celestial Dragon was thought to lunch on the sun; the Chinese word for
eclipse means to eat, leading them to believe that the Dragon was trying to eat the sun.” “Traditionally, people in other countries would get together outside and start to bang pots and pans around to scare away the Demons trying to take the sun … Ancient Greeks believe that a Solar Eclipse was a sign of angry Gods, and that it was a sign of disaster and destruction,” according to the “Solar Eclipse and Myths” article on timeanddate. com. All of these unique cultures explain the eclipse differently, demonstrating its ability to mystify and intrigue humankind, both past and present.
August 25, 2017
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ECLIPSING SCIENCE Jenna Scott
Lia Hanchett
The moon passes over the sun as students watch and take pictures at Redstone Park during their off hour. Perched in the sky, a blazing sphere of heat casted the United States in a rusty orange hue. However, the light typically expected to bounce off of us and seep unhealthily into our skin was nowhere to be seen. Why? Because the moon was blocking the sun. Occurring once every 18 months, a total solar eclipse is typically a once-in-a-lifetime event for most people, unless they are willing to travel the globe. Stretching from Salem, Oregon, all the way east to Charleston, South Carolina, the total solar eclipse graced Americans with its presence for the first time since 1979. Many people don’t know how these rarities happen, and thus, it is important to understand the circumstances that lead up to an everso-scarce total solar eclipse. According to NASA, there are three specific types of solar eclipses that exist: annular, partial and total. An annular solar eclipse occurs once every 18 months, when the moon is at its farthest distance from
Earth. The moon looks like a black disk in front of the sun, but does not completely block its rays. A partial eclipse happens when the sun and the moon are not lined up precisely, and the moon only blocks part of the sun. A total eclipse is the most inconsistent, only visible from one part of the Earth, where the sun and the moon are completely lined up, formed in a picture-perfect direct line. Some people plan years ahead in advance to watch this. In general, all eclipses have two shadows that affect the view of observers. The umbra, which gets smaller with the sun’s blinding rays, and the penumbra, which gets larger. Those within the umbra will receive the full, unadulterated view of the total solar eclipse. Unfortunately, those living in the penumbra will only get an incomplete partial solar eclipse. However, the fact remains the same that no matter where you’re living, you should never di-
rectly stare at the eclipse, even if the sky is dark. Time magazine details, along with hundreds of other sources, that certain precautions should be taken before viewing the eclipse. The most highly recommended safety tip is to purchase or borrow a pair of specifically modified eclipse glasses, or if you’re taking pictures, to use a modified filter. Throughout eclipse history, people who shrug off the warnings and don’t use proper viewing tools have suffered from burnt retinas. Whether temporary or permanent, retinal damage can lead to legal blindness, or a lifetime filled with spotty vision. Either way, a significant loss of vision will ensue. Knowledge and warnings aside, the eclipse was a new and joyful experience for the students of ThunderRidge, engraved in their minds until the next total eclipse slotted for 2024. Now, they’ll know exactly what’s happening in space.