Eclipse 2017: Sky will darken, temperatures will drop

El Paso Independent School District teachers gathered at the district’s Gene Roddenberry Planetarium to learn how to teach their students the science behind the 2017 eclipse and how to watch it safely.

The district’s first day of school is Monday — the day of the eclipse.

“We are encouraging every principal, every teacher to allow their students and have them participate in some way. Whether it is creating the boxes , they can create in the classroom or using the sidewalk to see the shadow,” said EPISD’s Jessica Jaquez-Trejo.

A lot has changed in the 40 years since we last saw a total solar eclipse here in the United States. For one thing, the internet didn’t exist.

Joann Jenkins remembers last eclipse.

“There was no fuss, just no fuss. It was just another day, nobody was excited that time,” Jenkins said.

Dan Ackerman is a tech expert with CNET.

“The big difference now is you are able to have this instantaneous conversation. You can send pictures, you can see what they are seeing, and that’s something we’ve never had before,” Ackerman said.

Thanks to social media the eclipse could become the most shared event in human history.

“I am excited,” said one Borderland resident. “I think it’s going to be pretty cool,” said another.

Dr. Ed Krupp works at the Griffith Observatory in California.

“When it goes total, it’s like someone has switched a light switch. The sun goes black, completely. You see flame-like structures around the edge of the sun,” Krupp said.

The Borderland is not in the path of totality — but we will get to see some 60 percent of the sun eclipsed by the moon.

El Paso resident John Barnes will be wathing.

“I am pretty excited about it. I would like to be at great zero.but i know here in El Paso we are going to have a partial eclipse. It should still be interesting though,” Banes said.

The eclipse is slated to hit its peak darkness hour in the Borderland at 11:45 a.m. Monday.

If you are going to look up make sure wear official protective eye wear.

Angie Patteson is an optometrist.

“One thing that people may think is that they can wear sunglasses or a welder’s hood or look through X-ray film. That is absolutely false. The only safe way to view the eclipse in real-time is to use to ISO certified eclipse glasses,” Patteson said.

During the solar eclipse the lunar shadow will darken the sky and temperatures will drop. The experience usually lasts for just a couple minutes, but experts say it’s truly out of this world.

ABC 7’s coverage of event can be found on our webpage under the Eclipse 2017 section. There is a countdown, interactive map and safety tips. On Monday, ABC-7 will have special coverage starting at 10 a.m.