In case you didn’t hear, a rare event across the nation took place Monday afternoon, a total solar eclipse.
But here in Pearl River County, we didn’t get a total eclipse like so many others across the nation. However, for some brief moments the clouds broke long enough to allow local residents the chance to see a partial eclipse.
The only problem is it’s summer in south Mississippi, and that means daily rain showers.
While most of the day proved fruitful because the clouds broke long enough to allow people to see the varying phases of the celestial event, just as the height of the moon’s path to obscure the Sun’s glow was to take place, the expected happened; dark clouds in several layers arrived to obstruct the view.
It was the first time I had seen any variation of an eclipse. I’m told, and photos taken by professionals can attest, the best view is that of the total eclipse.
Even so, knowing this may have been the only time I could see any part of the moon cover the sun, I set up a camera and hoped for the best.
Some passable shots were captured, as you can see in today’s edition of the Item. However, the best photos of the event are those of children and adults in our community taking the time out of their day to get a glimpse of this rare event occurring in Mississippi.
One day I hope to be able to see a total eclipse, even if it means I have to travel to do so.
The next solar eclipse to pass over the United States is forecast to take place April 8, 2024. Another one will take place on Aug. 12, 2045, which will pass over central Mississippi. Or, I could wait until the next one passes over Picayune, which would occur on May 11, 2078. I doubt I will live to be 101.