Solar eclipse casts shadow over region

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By Dakota Antelman, Managing Editor

Solar eclipse casts shadow over region
A partial annular eclipse shines brilliantly as the moon casts a shadow over the sun. (Photo/Dakota Antelman)

REGION – The sun burned bright around the curve of the moon, Thursday morning, as a rare astronomical alignment treated the region to an annular “ring of fire” eclipse.

Occurring as the moon briefly obscured part of the sun’s light, this eclipse was not the kind of total eclipse that plunges areas into complete darkness. Rather, even at prime viewing locations primarily in Canada, the sun’s outer layers shone around the moon’s surface, giving the annular eclipse its “ring of fire” nickname.

Locally, peak eclipse coverage took place shortly after sunrise, around 5:30a.m.

Early risers with proper eye protection saw the moon taking a “bite” out of the sun.

While solar eclipses are rare, the region has seen them before, most recently in 2017.

That year, millions across the US witnessed to a total eclipse. Massachusetts was hundreds of miles outside of the so called “path of totality.” Even so, though, local establishments held eclipse viewing parties, passing out heavily tinted glasses and providing educational materials on astronomy.

As the early morning peak and the lingering COVID-19 pandemic made such events impossible this spring, this year’s eclipse, covering 73% of the sun, was actually more drastic than that 2017 event, which peaked at 63% coverage.

Did you get a photo of the eclipse this morning? Send it our way by emailing us at [email protected].

 

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