We weren’t in the path of totality, but I still thought it would be fun (and yes, even though we haven’t started school yet) educational, for the kids to watch a solar eclipse.
A friend gave us 2 pairs of Eclipse Glasses. But, I was still hesitant to encourage my kids to look at the sun. Even through safety glasses.
So, we made some simple viewers…
The kids had fun trying them out, figuring out the best way to see the semi-circle of the moon passing in front of the sun, and tracking the progress of the eclipse throughout the day.
I read that the gravitational pull is different during an eclipse.
Supposedly, this means that a broom can stand up by itself, and an egg can stand on its end.
So, just for fun, we decided to try it out…
Here is the broom…standing up all by itself!
And, here is the egg…
It stood up all by itself too!
(I have no idea if either of these are actually due to a difference in gravity during a solar eclipse. Several websites claimed that both are possible at various times throughout the year. We may have to do a follow-up experiment and see if either one happens again!)
I did end up giving in, and allowing the kids to take turns using the glasses.
After some very stern lectures on how we never, ever, ever look directly at the sun!
We also invited our friend, Mrs. Vicky, to come over and watch with us during the peak of the eclipse.
(We are having a little bit of remodeling done in our entryway, so there was a large piece of sheetrock waiting to be cut in the front yard. It was perfectly placed under the tree, which allowed the crescent shape to show through all of the leaves! So, the kids took turns using the glasses, and watching the shadows!
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”
~Psalm 19:1 (ESV)