One Hundred Years Ago Today in Lorain – Solar Eclipse

 

One hundred years ago today on January 24, 1925, Lorain witnessed a solar eclipse, as noted on the front page of the Lorain Journal above.

"Against a light blue back drop, in skies that were marvelously clear for Lorain spectators, the sun and the moon staged their famous eclipse act this morning.

"Hundreds of Lorainites braved freezing temperatures, determined to have a look at an astronomical performance which will not be repeated in these parts for 200 years.

"During the sun's dazzle, many reported seeing the eclipse without the aid of smoked glasses. Better results, however, were obtained by gazing thru a piece of smoked glass or a strip of exposed camera film.

"An early morning rush was reported of purchasers of dark glasses.

"Street car conductors supplied themselves with pieces of smoked glass for the accommodation of travelers, and a Broadway photographer passed out pieces of exposed film to passers-by.

"By 8:30 the moon had covered about a third of the sun's surface and the bright light began to fade. This continued until a few minutes after 9, when the eclipse was at its zenith here, 97 percent of the sun being hidden. While there was plenty of light, the gloom was pronounced.

"The sun appeared as a thin crescent, which gradually reversed itself as the moon moved off. Then the sun began to grow larger and the light increased, until by 9:30 the eclipse was over, so far as Lorain was concerned, for another couple of centuries."

What a difference a hundred years makes. Looking at a solar eclipse (even a partial one) directly, or thru smoked glass or film negatives would be considered unsafe. And I'm not sure why the article implies that it would be 200 years before the next one.

Last year's total solar eclipse in our area in April 2024 was an unbelievable event. Originally I wasn't interested in it at all, but since it coincided with my shift change at work, I loitered in my company's parking lot to see it. When it reached totality, I was so overcome with emotion I almost wept – and I don't know why.

Outside my workplace when the solar eclipse was at its zenith

Anyway, the rest of the front page above has more coverage of the eclipse, including a great cartoon of a dragon swallowing the sun (which is allegedly what the ancient Chinese believed caused the unusual event) while a crowd fearing the end of the world flees in terror.