Total Solar Eclipse

Read Time:2 Minute, 4 Second

Students gather around to watch a once in a life time event on the Twin Turfs.

By: Noah Boyce

On April 8th, 2024 we got to experience a total solar eclipse. The eclipses visible from the US that came before, took place on August 21st, 2017, July 11th, 1991, and March 7th, 1970. DHS decided to take the 4th hour “off” and view the rare solar occurrence. Many stood with friends, some laid down on an open patch of grass, and others decided to stare at the sun and burn their corneas.

The total solar eclipse isn’t something that happens often for people in the US, especially people in Michigan. 1954’s solar eclipse was the last to pass through Michigan.

Dexter had an amazing view of the eclipse, but we were only able to see about 98% of it. Some, like Emmettt Walsh and Jason Mergler, went down to Toledo to see what 100% of the eclipse looked like. “It was dark for a good three minutes down there. You got to take your glasses off and really live in it” Jason Mergler said. “It was a really cool experience.” Even though Toledo is 63 miles from Dexter, the change in the coverage was unbelievable. Emmett Walsh said “When the total eclipse began we saw the sun rapidly turn to something similar to a black hole and as dark as right after the sun sets. This lasted for about 4 minutes and just as abruptly as it started, it ended.”

LOOK UP: Students watch the eclipse on the Twin Turfs.

The hardest part about going to see the eclipse was the traffic. “The traffic was really bad, I remember my dad had a few arguments with google maps” Jason said. Both Jason and Emmett showed up hours before the eclipse started and either got stuck or had to take the side roads to dodge it.

Back in Dexter, DHS was taking a break during their 4th hour to lay down and watch the eclipse unfold. Analissa Leadbetter said “I left school early so I could watch the Eclipse from my deck. My dad didn’t want me driving to Toledo, but I figured 98% coverage was good enough for me” Sam Renaud and Elijah Smith Agreed and said “I didn’t want to drive all the way to Toledo to watch an extra 2%. It wasn’t a huge deal to me.”