Middlebury College witnessed a momentous celestial event as scientists and spectators alike gathered to witness their first total solar eclipse. While the majority of eclipse viewers dispersed shortly after totality, Astronomy Professor Eilat Glikman and her daughter Navah, aged 15, remained, basking in the awe-inspiring experience.
Reflecting on the event, Glikman described it as a profound human experience shared by all present. She and her daughter, experiencing their first eclipse, chose to linger on a hillside picnic blanket, absorbing the magnitude of the total eclipse.
Navah echoed her mother’s sentiments, expressing astonishment at the unexpected beauty of the event. “That was not even what I was expecting,” she remarked, “like I knew the sun was going to glow, but it was just so crazy.”
Glikman explained their decision to join the crowd of college students on picnic blankets, engaging in leisure activities like tossing frisbees and playing spikeball. For her, the communal atmosphere added to the specialness of the occasion. “I just want to be around people,” she said, emphasizing the camaraderie and shared presence among the spectators.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the expansive lawn, Middlebury College Observatory Specialist Catherine Miller, age 32, seized the opportunity to capture solar photos of her inaugural total solar eclipse. Armed with two cameras, she meticulously documented the sun’s journey across the sky.
Miller’s endeavor aimed to preserve the eclipse’s memory for Middlebury, utilizing her equipment and newfound interest in solar photography. Reflecting on her experience, she described the moment of totality as “wild,” emphasizing the profound impact it had on her. “When we were in full totality,” she recalled, “I looked up and was just like, woah.”
The event marked a milestone for Middlebury College, showcasing the enthusiasm and dedication of its scientific community. As spectators reveled in the celestial spectacle, scientists like Glikman and Miller seized the opportunity to witness and document the rare phenomenon firsthand.
Feature Image Credit: VTDigger