On Aug. 21, for the first time in nearly a century, a total solar eclipse was visible in the United States along a path from coast to coast— Lincoln Beach, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. While the northeast corner of Georgia experienced a total eclipse, the partial eclipse was very close to full coverage here in Gwinnett, with the moon obscuring 97 to 99% of the sun for viewers in the county. (Find a gallery of images here.)
During the partial eclipse, Gwinnettians were treated to an awe-inspiring experience. As the moon passed in front of the sun, temperatures dropped, crickets chirped, and twilight fell for a matter of seconds as the sun was reduced to a thin crescent.
With parent permission, students in Gwinnett schools were able to view the partial eclipse through certified solar glasses, pinhole projectors, and other specially made eclipse viewers. Across the county, students and staff members stood on playgrounds and fields and lined stadium bleachers and sidewalks for the special event. Some students watched the eclipse coverage from NASA on televisions and computers.
Atlanta-area families can expect to experience the next partial eclipse (82%) in seven years. NASA tells us the next eclipse crossing the U.S. will be April 8, 2024, with a diagonal path of totality from Texas to Maine.