Share: 

Eclipse watchers head to Lewes Beach

Partial 86% spectacular reaches limit around 3:30 p.m.; next event in 20 years
Henry Stewart of Lewes watches his first solar eclipse at Lewes Beach. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Ron MacArthur
April 8, 2024

Hundreds of millions of Americans, including thousands in the Cape Region, stopped to view a rare solar eclipse April 8. It reached about 86% in this area around 3:30 p.m. Lewes Beach was a popular viewing area as hundreds took advantage of the perfect weather. About 44 million people lived in the area of totality, including many major cities. It’s been billed as the most-watched eclipse; others have not crossed over a more populated and accessible path. A total eclipse in 2023 was near home for just 400,000 people.

The area also witnessed a partial eclipse in 2017.

More than a dozen states saw the eclipse in totality as it began its path around 2:07 p.m. starting in Texas and then to Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine before exiting around 4 p.m. in Canada. Small sections of Michigan and Tennessee also experienced a full eclipse.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon’s diameter appears larger than the sun’s, blocking all direct sunlight.

The next solar eclipse will occur on Aug. 23, 2044, while the next eclipse of similar width will take place on Aug. 12, 2045.

 

Members of the Lewes Junction Breakwater Rail & Bridge Association gathered by their caboose next to the Lewes Public Library to watch the eclipse. (L-R) Randy Voith, Sally Boswell, David Ludlow, Andrea Brock and Cathy Tatman. BILL SHULL PHOTO
Bryan and Lisa Aston of St. Louis, Missouri, look skyward through their eclipse glasses. The couple was traveling and missed the total eclipse in their hometown. They did see a total eclipse in 2017. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Members of the Freedom Boat Club Sea Sisters turn the eclipse into a party on Lewes Beach. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Lisa Smith of Milton lies down on Lewes Beach to watch the partial 86% solar eclipse on April 8. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
A large group of eclipse watchers set their chairs up and look to the sky to watch a rare solar eclipse. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Rich and Beth Sparaco of Lewes relax and lean back in their chairs to witness one of the solar system’s unique events. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Christa Marks, a member of the Sea Sisters, watches as the eclipse nears its maximum point in this area around 3:30 p.m. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Sitting near the shoreline, eclipse watchers keep an eye to the sky to watch the moon cross the sun. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
Kim Johnson of Milton captured this image of the eclipse at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Smyrna. SUBMITTED PHOTO
In Greg Hurley’s photo, Sue Hurley and Daisy watch the eclipse at home at in Lewes. SUBMITTED PHOTO
Karen DeLissio submitted this dramatic image of the eclipse that she took from the deck at The Wheelhouse in Lewes. “My husband and I decided to enjoy the beautiful day at The Wheelhouse for a late lunch and to enjoy the eclipse,” she said. “With help from the staff, including Jay, Page and Jasmine, we took this photo. For the few moments the clouds covered the sun it produced the most magnificent colors.” SUBMITTED PHOTO
Andrea Brock tries out one of the suggested methods for safely viewing the eclipse: a pasta strainer projecting it on a piece of paper. BILL SHULL PHOTO
J.R. Rhoades was one of the many people who stopped on Second Street in Lewes to catch a glimpse of the eclipse. BILL SHULL PHOTO

Most Popular

Subscribe to the CapeGazette.com Daily Newsletter

Most Popular