On Monday, April 8th, Westbury High School students participating in NCC STEP observed the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse. This activity took place on the Westbury High School Athletic Field between the hours of 2:50 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Science teachers Jeffrey Gonzalez and Andy Sanchez supervised the activity as students wore NASA ISO International Standard solar eclipse glasses while observing the total solar eclipse. As the moon passed between the Earth and the sun, the moon cast a shadow upon New York by blocking about 90% of the sun. Prior to the viewing of the eclipse, students participated in a presentation and viewed an educational video demonstrating the importance of eye protection. Exposing your eyes to the sun without proper eye protection during a solar eclipse can cause “eclipse blindness” or retinal burns, also known as solar retinopathy. Through protective eyewear, students enthusiastically marveled at the sight of the Total Solar Eclipse, a reminder of the wonders of the universe, and one that will not occur in New York again until the year 2079.
