Solar 'eglimpse': Brief peeks at eclipse enjoyed in Wayne County despite clouds

We could call this the solar "eglimpse" as seen from Wayne County and a broad region beyond.

Clouds failed to cover the excitement and determination of a hardy group keeping vigil on a breezy hilltop in Wayne County to catch glimpses of the sun being swallowed by the moon on Monday.

And glimpses they were, but as faithful eclipse watchers can attest, they were rewarded, perhaps more so by the fact they patiently stood fast knowing they were not in control of the skies.

This writer joined the gathering at Delaware Highlands Conservancy's Van Scott Nature Reserve, east of Beach Lake. Groups congregated outside public libraries, and on top Irving Cliff with an amazing view overlooking Honesdale.

We were at least 125 miles from the path of totality that passed through mid-northern New York. From the Honesdale area, the sun was almost 95% covered, an event still not to be missed with proper eye protection.

There were 38 hardy souls gathered on the hill, stationed in the field by the recently built event pavilion. Here they set up lawn chairs or spread blankets. With solar glasses provided by the Conservancy, adults sat in stoic attention facing southwest, like sentinels watching for a visitor. The younger set found sweet distraction running and romping.

Parents were heard instructing them to only look sunward with the solar glasses on, likely a cool new fashion statement for some.

One person spoke of the expected traffic jams and massive crowd anticipated in the path of totality and was content to make the most from this deep partial event.

Diligence and patience paid off.

Not long after the eclipse started, clouds parted just enough. A cheer rang out from the hill as solar glasses were quickly donned. "Look at that!" was heard, astonished at the sharp, vivid view of the sun with what looked like a bite taken out of its right side. A precious few more breaks followed, showing the black silhouette of the moon gradually gobbling more of the sun.

For some time, it seemed that the eclipse by the clouds, covering the face of the solar eclipse, would win, but gratefully at the time of maximum extent, what fragment was left of the sun appeared. It was like the capital letter C in the sky.

While not as dark as totality would be, eclipse watchers were heard noting how the landscape was unnatural and markedly dimmer beneath the veil of clouds. The temperature also dropped around five degrees, and jackets were being put on.

Due to the clouds diminishing the sun, projecting the sun via a pinhole or other means did not work well.

At the Wayne County Public Library in Honesdale, over 400 people stopped by for a solar eclipse party despite the dominance of clouds. The library's Facebook post reports that at 2 p.m., a line had formed around the block as their space alien and astronaut team handed out solar glasses. There were crafts and refreshments (Moon Pies and Milky Way candies, of course).

"Clouds didn't stop the crowd from sharing today's special, celestial occasion, high above historic Irving," Honesdale Mayor Derek Williams said about the eclipse watch high atop the cliff. Someone even had a reflecting telescope with a solar filter designed for it.

"We all had a lovely time up on the cliff. The clouds didn't seem to sour the mood. There was a relaxed, little festival atmosphere," Williams said. He estimated around 60 people came. Near maximum, he said the air became very still and the downtown seemed to quieten. They also watched birds of prey at eye level, lofted by updrafts.

One of the senior citizens watching the eclipse from the nature reserve expressed doubt she may live to see a total solar eclipse anywhere near, but hoped the children joyfully playing there would remember seeing the eclipse of 2024. Just maybe they will witness the total solar eclipse that will cross over the Poconos in 55 years, in 2079.

Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@tricountyindependent.com or 570-253-3055 ext. 1588.

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Solar 'eglimpse' viewed in Wayne County whenever clouds briefly parted