Celestial events are fascinating and exciting to me. In August, you can find me lying on a blanket on the driveway or in the field, watching the meteor shower. My family has become accustomed to my random facts about the moon's phases, what kind of moon we can expect to see, the name of the moon we are viewing, and what we should do during each phase. It has become a personal challenge for The Bean to identify more constellations than me and share facts about the night sky in season. To say we are excited about the solar eclipse that will happen this afternoon is an understatement.
Several weeks ago, I purchased a pack of ten solar eclipse viewing glasses and declared that we were going to have a picnic in the front yard and view the eclipse. The Bean's school district canceled school so the students could safely watch the eclipse. With school being canceled, it feels like a holiday. If it's a holiday, we have to celebrate. I planned a simple menu consisting of sandwiches, coleslaw, and chips. What makes it unique is sitting at a table set up in the yard, wearing funny paper glasses, and watching an event that will only happen once in a lifetime.
My fascination with stars, astronomy, and the heavens began in fourth grade. Our school district is fortunate to have a small planetarium. As elementary students, we would file into this small room single-file, find a seat in the circular recessed center, lean back, and look overhead into the white dome above us. The lights would go down, and suddenly, we would be transported into the fascinating world of astronomy. Mr. Rodney Allshouse was the official planetarium teacher. He would take his laser pointer and outline the constellations in the night sky. Along with identifying stars and constellations, he would point out planets and star clusters and tell us stories about how the constellations got their names. I loved going to the planetarium. The only thing that stole the joy from these lessons was each student had to take their turn with the laser pointer. Mr. Allshouse would ask each student to point out a random constellation. I have always been an introvert and extraordinarily uncomfortable when put on the spot in public. The one downfall to my enjoyment of the planetarium was that cursed laser pointer. Sigh...
Beginning in fourth grade and lasting through maybe ninth grade, we would spend at least one nine weeks in the planetarium. As a child, I did not appreciate the opportunity to study the skies in such a unique setting. As an adult and a former educator, I now realize what a special and unique opportunity it was to spend time in our planetarium with a knowledgeable teacher willing to share this knowledge. Thank you, Rodney Allshouse, for instilling this love of astronomy into generations of students. I am not the only one who remembers and appreciates Mr. Allshouse. When I speak to Marion Center graduates from my era, we reminisce about the planetarium and Mr. Allshouse. We all agree our time in the planetarium was a fantastic educational opportunity.
Currently, the school district does not utilize the planetarium. Rumor has it it is being used as a storage closet. I am incensed that our small local district does not take advantage of this unique and valuable educational tool. Although I am not a joiner, I threaten to run for the school board to reopen our planetarium and give a new generation of students the wonderful opportunity to study the stars. One would think this would fit in with S.T.E.A.M learning and create endless possibilities for curriculum development. Sigh. Perhaps my friend Jenna, who loves to be in the spotlight and is a total joiner, will run for school board and reinstate the use of the planetarium. One can hope.
On this unique and memorable day, I hope you have an opportunity to view the solar eclipse. Please don't look at the sun without special viewing glasses. I'm pretty sure retinal burns are much worse than getting soap in your eye (insert a wink from my undamaged eye). Thank you, Mr. Allshouse and all the other teachers who have instilled in so many people an interest in astronomy. You are appreciated. Stay safe, be smart, enjoy the eclipse, and keep washing your hands.
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