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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 22, 2017)
• Trump renews Afghan commitment NATION/6A • Mariners slide past Braves SPORTS/1B TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2017 141st Year, No. 221 WINNER OF THE 2017 ONPA GENERAL EXCELLENCE AWARD One dollar Staff photo by E.J. Harris Staff photo by E.J. Harris A map marked with pins place by visitors on their hometowns hangs at the industrial park during the eclipse on Monday in John Day. Chien Chiang of Fremont, California, takes a photograph while watch- ing the eclipse with his family on Monday in John Day. Staff photo by E.J. Harris Gabriel Porter, of Sandy, right, reacts to the start of the eclipse while watching it with his twin brother, Nathan, on Monday in John Day. SOLAR SENSATION Spectators flock to Oregon to catch a glimpse of the total eclipse First of its kind since 1979 More inside By GEORGE PLAVEN East Oregonian AP Photo/Ted S. Warren Anticipation turned to cheers Monday morning in John Day as visi- tors from around the world celebrated the arrival of the 2017 total solar eclipse. For about two minutes, the moon came in perfect alignment with the sun, casting an otherworldly darkness that left spectators in awe. The skies remained mostly clear throughout the morning, offering a pristine view of the cosmic dance. Then, just as quickly as it came, it was over and light returned. Located deep within the path of totality, John Day played host to thou- sands of eclipse watchers who made the trip to witness the once-in-a-lifetime event. A large crowd gathered over the weekend at the city’s airport industrial park, where campers reserved their spots months in advance to experience the eclipse in its full glory. According to travelers, it was well worth the trip. Mike Ziemke, of Merrill, Wisconsin, drove two full days to John Day where he met his friend, Chuck Stewart, of Vancouver, Washington. The two astronomy buffs settled in • Stanfi eld school turns eclipse into day one lesson 2A • Outside totality, the view is worth staying home 7A • ‘Podcycle’ globetrotter spies eclipse from John Day 8A Staff photo by E.J. Harris Thousands of travelers gathered at the industrial park in John Day on Monday to view the eclipse. Wednesday and spent every night star- gazing through their telescopes and eagerly awaiting Monday’s eclipse. Ziemke, who watched the 1979 total solar eclipse from his home in Wisconsin, described the experience as life-changing. “It’s something that’s just unbe- lievable,” he said. “To think of all the people across the country coming together today, just to watch ... you’ve got all walks of life.” Kevin Knowles, an astronomy teacher at Mount Si High School in Snoqualmie, Washington, wore his enthusiasm on his sleeve — liter- ally — with not one, but two shirts adorned in planets and galaxies. He said he fi rst heard about the eclipse in March while attending the National Science Teachers Associa- tion conference in Los Angeles and made his arrangements. “I would have loved to have this a few weeks later so I could have brought my whole class,” Knowles said. “Defi nitely, this brings alive everything I teach.” For others, traveling to the path of totality was a last-minute decision. Patricia Johnson, of Sacramento, California, drove up to Oregon with her adult son, Edek Sher, who was home visiting from Rhode Island. The two were not able to fi nd eclipse glasses on such short notice anywhere in northern California. Fortunately, they were able to stop at the Powerhouse Science Center in Sacramento, where they learned how to make their own using paper and popsicle sticks. The center also provided the proper viewing lenses. “We were embarrassed,” Johnson See ECLIPSE/7A “It’s like some special kind of gray darkness. At the same time, the sun gets this silvery kind of shine.” — Bernd Schatzman, fl ew to the U.S. from Germany