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LEHMAN TWP. — Nine-year-old Tevin Conklin experimented with two different pin-hole cameras and certified solar eye glasses Monday at the Solar Eclipse Experience at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

Conklin concluded that he enjoyed watching the rare astrological event through a pin-hole camera he made from two paper plates and aluminum foil.

“It is the simple things that make children happy,” said the youngster’s mother, Amanda.

The Wilkes-Barre residents joined over 300 people who attended the Solar Eclipse Experience from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the university’s Academic Commons (library). An eclipse event also was held at Wyoming Seminary in Kingston.

In Northeastern Pennsylvania, the moon blocked about 75 percent of the sun at the peak time of 2:41 p.m.

“People started lining up at a quarter of noon,” said Michelle Yaple, an assistant with Students Affairs at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

By 1:22 p.m., 150 certified solar-eclipse glasses had been handed out, she said.

The free event consisted of several activities, including an eclipse-themed color and drawing contest, a craft table to make a pin-hole camera, and refreshments.

Guests also could watch a live-stream from the area of totality, a live feed from a solar telescope stationed outside the library. Totality, in which 100 percent of the sun is blocked by the moon, occurred in 14 states Monday.

The 70-mile-wide, 3,000-mile-long path started in Oregon at 10:15 a.m. PDT and ended in South Carolina at 2:48 p.m.

In the Back Mountain, partly cloudy skies did not prohibit people from observing the partial eclipse.

Nine-year-old Jacob Johnston read about the celestial occurrence before attending Monday’s event with his family.

“Only look at the sun with special goggles,” Johnston said, adding this is the first time in 99 years that a solar eclipse crossed the entire United States.

The last visible eclipse happened on Feb. 26, 1979, said Violet Mager, an assistant physics professor at Penn State Wilkes-Barre and the event’s organizer.

The next eclipse for North America is slated for April 8, 2024.

“It is mind-boggling that astronomers can predict this,” said Hudson resident Joann Melmank.

The rare occurrence inspired many area residents to head to various events to turn their eyes skyward.

In Kingston, Wyoming Seminary held an eclipse-watching party starting at 1 p.m. A crowd of more than 200 people, including students, faculty, staff and community members, attended the event, said Gail Smallwood, the school’s associate director of communications.

“We had 150 solar eclipse glasses, and we ran out,” she said.

Retired faculty member Jim Kersey and his wife, Evelyn, came to Wyoming Seminary to view the astrological event with friends.

“It was my first time seeing it,” Jim said. “I noticed the temperature dropped a few degrees.”

“I am glad I got to see it in my lifetime,” Evelyn said.

Wyoming Seminary math teacher Nathan Warkentin set up a telescope complete with additional solar filters and allowed guests to view the eclipse.

“There were a lot of students looking through the telescope and taking pictures of the eclipse through the telescope,” he said. “It was great to see the general enthusiasm about the eclipse.”

Warkentin said it was his first time observing an eclipse.

“It was awe-inspiring,” he said.

Keelin Rosa, of Kingston, watches the solar eclipse from the yard at the Hoyt Library in Kingston on Monday afternoon.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_TTL082217Eclipse1-1.jpg.optimal.jpgKeelin Rosa, of Kingston, watches the solar eclipse from the yard at the Hoyt Library in Kingston on Monday afternoon. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

From left, Mia Magnotta, Grace Parsons, Hannah Maxwell and Reese Butcher watch the solar eclipse at Wyoming Seminary in Kingston on Monday afternoon.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_TTL082217Eclipse3-1.jpg.optimal.jpgFrom left, Mia Magnotta, Grace Parsons, Hannah Maxwell and Reese Butcher watch the solar eclipse at Wyoming Seminary in Kingston on Monday afternoon. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

Jillian Weidner, Natalie Weidner, Olivia Marconi, River Morgan, Sage Morgan, Josie Soloman and Cadence Soloman watch the eclipse at the Solar Eclipse Experience at Penn State Wilkes-Barre in Lehman Township.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_TTL082217Eclipse4-1.jpg.optimal.jpgJillian Weidner, Natalie Weidner, Olivia Marconi, River Morgan, Sage Morgan, Josie Soloman and Cadence Soloman watch the eclipse at the Solar Eclipse Experience at Penn State Wilkes-Barre in Lehman Township. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

From left, MajBritt Black, of Michigan, and her mother and sister — Lisbeth Nilsson and Marian Heintz, both of Dallas — watch the solar eclipse from the Penn State Wilkes-Barre campus in Lehman Township.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_TTL082217Eclipse2-1.jpg.optimal.jpgFrom left, MajBritt Black, of Michigan, and her mother and sister — Lisbeth Nilsson and Marian Heintz, both of Dallas — watch the solar eclipse from the Penn State Wilkes-Barre campus in Lehman Township. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

By Eileen Godin

[email protected]

Reach Eileen Godin at 570-991-6387 or on Twitter @TLNews.

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