Millions across America looked up for the solar eclipse

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - From Texas to New York – tens of millions in the path of totality stopped to look up at the rare solar eclipse today. Many traveling last minute waited in traffic. Other’s waited months if not longer for the chance to see the eclipse.

“I bought the glasses nine months ago, I was all ready for this!” Angela Lordi, a spectator said. “I bought a new car to drive over here, well maybe not just for that reason.”

The four minutes of darkness seemingly stopped time – even on Capitol Hill where Senators Dick Durbin and Joe Manchin paused to look up.

Just down the hill on the National Mall, the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum hosted an eclipse festival to help people better understand what’s happening in space.

Dr. Erica Jawin with the National Air and Space Museum was on-site to help.

“It has a whole bunch of stations of ways you can look at the eclipse, either through a solar telescope before or during the eclipse,” Dr. Erica Jawin, National Air and Space Museum. “There’s ways you can experience the eclipse other than sight – sound and touch.”

Washington D.C. only had 87% coverage but it didn’t stop aspiring scientists from participating in the fun.

“I want to be an Astronaut. We were at school and didn’t know to come here. Then (my mom) picked us up at 10:30 and said we have to go to the festival now,” sisters Adiya and Zere Nagashybek said.

Nate O’Brien and friends from Dallas, Texas just happened to be at the Eclipse Festival for a school trip.

“It was very awesome, I couldn’t see the sun for a second,” Nate said.

Unfortunately…Nate saw the eclipse for JUST a second.

“Next solar eclipse (I want) to be prepared more,” Nate said. “We only had one pair of glasses for me, all of us and my dad.

Luckily Nate and anyone else looking for a second glance has plenty of time to prepare for the next eclipse in 20 44.

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