Listen Here
By Megan Hite, HiteM@Findlay.edu
On April 8 at approximately 3:10 p.m., Findlay will experience complete darkness for three minutes and 44 seconds, due to Findlay being in the direct path of totality. This event has gained the attention of hundreds and will be a historical event for the city and the state of Ohio.
With this event, the University of Findlay has canceled all classes for April 8. After talking with a few UF students, here’s their thoughts on the total solar eclipse taking place.
“I wasn’t really aware of this event occurring until back in January at the beginning of the semester; my teacher had mentioned we had the day off for it,” freshman Aidan Ward said.
While many students didn’t know about the eclipse prior to the beginning of the semester, sophomore Luke Ferrell gave his insight on the subject.
“I think a lot of us don’t really understand that this is a historical event,” Ferrell said. “I think a lot of us are just seeing this day as a day off school and a lot of us are just planning to catch up on school work since it’s so close to finals.”
When asked if the UF students had created any plans for this historical event to participate and watch it, many had the same response.
“I think I’m mostly just going to use this day to work on school work,” junior Elizabeth Edgar said. “I have a virtual class that day, but I would love to take some time out of studying to see it.”
While most students plan to use this day as a work day, or a mental health recharge, Luke Ferrell is using this day to make memories with his family of this historical event.
“My girlfriend’s family is coming up, so we can all experience it together,” Ferrell said. “None of us has experienced a total solar eclipse. My girlfriend’s nephew, who is three, is coming up, so we’re excited to see him get to experience something like this at a young age. We’re just planning to use this day to hang out and experience this unique event together.”
The last time Ohio had a total solar eclipse visible was back in 1806; however back in 2017, Ohio experienced a partial solar eclipse.
“I remember I was in eigth grade at the time, we had the last solar eclipse,” Ferrell said. “I remember in our science class we watched a bunch of videos about the event, but I don’t think at the time any of us really understood what was happening.”
Ward explained that their schools also took some time out of their curriculum to talk about the solar eclipse, but he doesn’t remember them spending much time on the subject nor doing anything for the event.
Ohio won’t see anothere total solar eclipse until 2099. Edgar explained their thoughts on the 70 year gap between the solar eclipse in 2024 to 2099.
“It’s kind of crazy, especially when thinking about the last one that was really only seven years ago. Many things change in one year compared to 70,” Edgar said. “Who knows where we will be in 2099 or what will be different. I guess I have to watch this one so I don’t have to wait another 70 years for the next one.”
