Hundreds visit National Mall for Solar Eclipse Festival
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Hundred gathered on the National Mall to watch the 2024 solar eclipse on Monday. Cheers erupted as a slight shadow fell across the District.
The moon covered about 85% of the sun in D.C. around 3 p.m. on Monday as crowds in the District watched on.
Live updates: Total solar eclipse moves across the US
The Smithsonian hosted the National Mall’s watch party, which featured booths with activities and information. Organizations such as NASA and NOAA made appearances as well.
The last eclipse that was visible from the region was in 2017 — the next eclipse visible from this part of the U.S. won’t happen until 2044.
“We’re getting about 89% [coverage], so that’s the best I can get without having to spend $1,000 to travel to the middle of nowhere in some places,” said D.C. resident Crispin Burke.
Burke set up on the National Mall with his phone set up, complete with a tripod and solar filter over the camera lens. He said he wanted to capture a timelapse of the eclipse.
Renee Champman, of Fort Washington, Md. hopes “people will take care of the Earth.”
“All these kids are out here. New generation scientists,” Champman said.
PHOTOS: Total solar eclipse sweeps across North America
Workers at tables giving out free eclipse glasses said that the glasses went fast. They started giving out the glasses around noon, but people were lined up as early as 11.
Workers said that they had around 5,000 glasses and cards for safe eclipse viewing. The glasses were all gone by the time the eclipse started around 2:04 p.m.
Dozens stood in line at the National Mall on Monday waiting for a chance to grab a pair of solar-filtered glasses in anticipation of the solar eclipse expected in the afternoon.
“I love events like this. everybody comes together to see a cool, natural phenomenon,” said Lauren Brandes of Washington, DC.
The eclipse reached its peak around 3 p.m. and ended around 4:30 p.m.
“Just having this monumental moment together. It’s a nonpartisan crowd,” said Clintandra Thompson of Washington, DC. “I think that’s something that we need here on the Mall, right in the shadow of the Capitol building and up the White House of the Washington Monument.”
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