Hampton Academy Students Prepare for Next Week’s Solar Eclipse, Participate in Educational Viewing

HAMPTON — Superintendent Dr. Lois Costa and Principal Ken Hawkins are pleased to share that students at Hampton Academy are preparing for next week’s solar eclipse. 

According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), on Monday, April 8, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk.

When watching the partial phases of the solar eclipse, people must look through safe solar viewing glasses (“eclipse glasses”) or a safe handheld solar viewer at all times

Hampton Academy students began their preparation for the upcoming eclipse in their science classes, and all Grade 6 students learn about solar eclipses in their astronomy unit.

A group of students in Science Teacher Alison Munsey’s class were especially excited about the upcoming solar eclipse, and enthusiastically agreed to be “eclipse ambassadors.” The students — seventh-graders Avery Oleniak and Renee Mammah, and eighth-grader Joey Penachio — prepared a slideshow that they presented to the School Board on March 5.

In their presentation, the eclipse ambassadors discussed the nature of a solar eclipse and why it occurs, when and where the eclipse will pass over New Hampshire, and how to view it safely.

The solar eclipse is expected to begin in New Hampshire at about 2:16 p.m. and end at about 4:38 p.m. The sun will be approximately 95 percent eclipsed over Hampton beginning at about 3:29 p.m.

Hampton staff will be passing out eclipse glasses to students and will discuss safe viewing procedures ahead of the eclipse on April 8. Hampton Academy students will be dismissed right as the eclipse begins and the moon starts to cover the sun.

“We look forward to sharing this awe-inspiring experience with our students and fostering their curiosity about the wonders of the universe,” said Principal Hawkins.

Superintendent Costa would like to provide the following safety tips to all Hampton students and staff, courtesy of NASA: 

• It is not safe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing.
• Always inspect your eclipse glasses or handheld viewer before use. If torn, scratched, or otherwise damaged, discard the device.
• Always supervise children using solar viewers.
• Do NOT look at the sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer — the concentrated solar rays will burn through the filter and cause serious eye injury.
• Do NOT use eclipse glasses or handheld viewers with cameras, binoculars, or telescopes.
• Even during a partial or annular eclipse, or during the partial phases of a total eclipse, the sun will be very bright. If you are watching an entire eclipse, you may be in direct sunlight for hours. Remember to wear sunscreen, a hat, and protective clothing to prevent skin damage.