On Monday, August 21, millions of Americans across the country wore their protective eyeglasses to watch the highly expected total solar eclipse. Though the eclipses, which occur about every 18 months, are not rare, this one was historic. It was not only the first total solar eclipse visible from the mainland US in more than 38 years, but also the first to be seen coast to coast in almost a century.
The crowds were thrilled as the moon briefly blocked the sun, covering cities all the way from Oregon to South Carolina (SC) with darkness. A cold ran down many spines as the temperatures dropped dramatically, by up to 12 degrees Fahrenheit, during totality. Those fortunate enough to have clear skies not only saw the corona, the sun’s outer atmosphere, which is usually not visible in the sun’s glare, but also the bright stars and planets.
Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperative everywhere. The crowds who gathered in Charleston, SC, the last big city in the path of totality, had to struggle against a thick cloud cover when the partial eclipse began at 1:17 pm. It did thin out a little as totality took place at 2:46 pm, allowing for a good view of the eclipse, but not the sun’s corona! However, some splendid flashes of lightning that occurred just as the moon covered the sun helped ease the disappointment somewhat.
All in all, the rare event, believed to be the most observed and most photographed eclipse in history, was a huge success. As Bill Nye, aka “the Science Guy” briefly put it, “Experiencing an eclipse changes the way we feel about space and how we are connected. This moment will remind us all that we share a common origin among the stars and that we are all citizens of the same planet.”
【小题1】What do we know about the eclipse on August 21?| A．It was first viewed by the citizens in Carolina. |
| B．It caused a temperature decrease in some cities. |
| C．It was the first total solar eclipse visible in the US. |
| D．It cheered astronomy lovers from all over the world. |
| A．where people could enjoy a good eclipse |
| B．when the total solar eclipse happened in Charleston |
| C．what people saw in Charleston during the eclipse |
| D．why the weather was bad in Charleston |
| A．Astonishing. | B．Disappointing. | C．Troublesome. | D．Meaningful. |
