Taking a break from the daily grind can help us appreciate the beauty of the universe. This was the suggestion of Steve Snyder, CEO of the Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park. On Monday morning, a large crowd gathered at the center to witness a 55%-60% partial eclipse. San Diegans seemed to enjoy the event, taking in the change in light and shadows cast on the ground.
The peak partial eclipse occurred at 11:11 a.m., reminding people of their place in the cosmos. The multigenerational crowd eagerly waited at the Bea Evenson Fountain, where they could get sun-safe glasses and witness the celestial show. Despite some scattered clouds, the sun predominantly shone bright throughout the morning.
Visitors had several options for viewing the eclipse, including solar telescopes and participating in solar system demonstrations at the Fleet Center. In addition, a live feed from NASA tracked the path of totality in IMAX theater. Some guests even created paper pinhole viewers or used Ritz crackers as makeshift solar projectors.
One visitor, Becky Williams, brought her father’s spirit to
