Total Eclipse of the mind: Bartlett takes science to a rooftop level

By Stacy Cruz
Staff Writer

Pictures and projections can’t compete with the chilly early morning air, blankets, and telescopes set up on the roof of the Costa math and science building to watch the total lunar eclipse on Oct. 8.

Costa science teacher Daniel Bartlett planned this event as an extra credit trip for his physics students. A total lunar eclipse takes place when the Earth’s shadow blocks the sun’s light from reaching the moon’s surface. MCHS science students gathered at 2:00 a.m., at the beginning of the eclipse, and were able to leave whenever they chose, although many stayed until the end of totality at 4:30 a.m.

“We watched the earth’s shadow cross over the moon, which was spectacular,” Bartlett said. “You’d think the moon would be totally invisible when it’s eventually totally blocked out, but its not, it’s actually blood red.”

Students from Honors Earth Science, Advanced Placement Physics, and Bartlett’s Physics class participated in the event. According to Bartlett, the night wasn’t just about the eclipse. The students were also able to learn and identify certain stars and planets. They had the opprotunity to see star clusters, Uranus, Jupiter, a couple of stripes and even an adjacent galaxy.

“We got to learn about astronomy first hand,” junior Raquel Gerard said. “It’s way different learning about a lunar eclipse in a classroom or seeing a picture rather than looking at one through a telescope on top of a roof.”

The event was not limited to just the science classes, other students and friends were welcomed as well. According to Gerard, some people brought tents, blankets, cards, and food to enjoy with their friends while watching the moon change phases.

“This was a chance for mature students to view the world from a different perspective,” Bartlett said. “One of my goals was to keep the upperclassmen for a while because it was so early in the morning.”

Another lunar eclipse will take place on April 4, although it is scheduled an hour later in the morning. The moon will only be in totality for approximately five minutes, in contrast to the hour it was in totality during the most recent eclipse. Barlett plans to set up an event for this lunar eclipse as well.

“I would definitely go on a trip like this again,“ Gerard said. “Even though I was at school very late, it was a fun thing to learn about and it doesn’t happen often.