By DERRICK GALINDO
Student Reporter
Sometimes, it’s a bit hard to look at the bright side, especially during an eclipse.
Though that didn’t stop Northwestern, students and faculty, along with many others, gathered in NWOSU’s greenspace to watch the solar eclipse, from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., anyone wanting a place to watch the eclipse was welcomed.
It was an experience to be dismissed from class to watch the eclipse. The greenspace was decked out with a telescope and solar eclipse viewing glasses were available to everyone in attendance.
I arrived at 1:05 p.m., and there were around 60 or so people. Looking through the eclipse viewers, the moon partially covered the sun, a little over more than half from what I could tell.
During this time, they showed off pinhole arts. These were pieces of hole-punched papers that would cast shadows that came from the eclipse.
It did not take long for the greenspace to fill with people.
Only twenty minutes passed from my arrival for the greenspace to fill with people.
From eager watchers lining up along the greenspace’s sidewalk to peek through the telescope, to students sitting in circles on the grass staring at the sun through their eclipse viewers.
Ten minutes after that, the greenspace experienced the peak of the eclipse.
The sun dimmed greatly compared to how bright it was throughout the day.
Along with this, the sun looked like a crescent due to the moon blocking 90% of the sun.
At the end of the peak, some students left in order to get ready for their next classes.
Before leaving the greenspace, students could return their eclipse viewers in order for the department of natural sciences to donate to South America, so they can view the eclipse safely.
While the Northwestern Oklahoma area wasn’t in the line of totality, something Kinsey Neiderer, assistant women’s basketball coach, wished for, it was still an event to remember. However, the next solar eclipse to pass over Alva will be in 2045. During this eclipse Alva will be in the path of totality.
The last solar eclipse to past through Oklahoma took place in 2017. During this event students were able to gather in the greenspace much like they did on Monday.
“I haven’t seen this … since I was 16,” said Salat Ibrahim, a senior special ed major from Glendale, Arizona.
Hunter McMillin, a junior majoring in social work from Syliva, Kansas who attended the event was in awe of the number of people in attendance.
Something that Kaylyn Hansen, director of assessment and institutional effectiveness along with academic support agreed with.
“It’s so cool that everybody’s here and watching it together,” Hansen said.
