By BARBARA BARBIERI
On Saturday Laura Ainslie and Russell Ainslie, from the Fort Wayne Astronomical Society, presented a live presentation about the annular solar eclipse at the Wells County Public Library.
Laura explained that this annular solar eclipse could be seen in both north and south America. The eclipse held Saturday is often called “the ring of fire” as the moon blocks out the total circle of the sun, leaving a ring of light around outside.
However, in this area, if the clouds had allowed, the entire ring would not have been viewable. At the library the viewing from other sites was followed via a NASA program managed by the Ainslie’s.
Shoebox viewing devices were shown and directions of how to make them were explained by Laura, as it is very important that no one look directly toward the sun during an eclipse. Special glasses may be used for viewing as well.
When a total eclipse, viewable in the area, occurs April 8, 2024, the library plans to hold another viewing program and will have some of the special glasses to share. They also plan to have another opportunity to create viewing boxes.
Laura explained that in order to see an eclipse you have to have four things — the sun, the moon, the earth, and you. All four have to align just right for the moon to block the sun from the earth for us to see. The times can be predicted years and years in advance.
barb@news-banner.com
