Jamaicans left disappointed following solar eclipse

A few persons were left disappointed after they were unable to witness the partial solar eclipse that they had been expecting yesterday.

The United States experienced coast-to-coast total solar eclipse yesterday, and Jamaica was expected to see a partial eclipse beginning some time after midday. Reports were that the entire process was to last between two to three hours.

The Gleaner spoke to some persons, including Anika Bennett in New Kingston. None of them saw anything. Bennett said that she and her children had been anticipating the once-in-a-lifetime event.

"I saw it in my news feed (social media) on Google, so I wanted to see it and even take a picture, but I hear it's not good for you to look at it. I at least wanted to experience it and my children were looking forward to it as well. My seven-year-old and my 11-year-old can't stop talking about it," she said.

Her friend, who gave his name as Phillip, said he, too, wanted to have the experience.

"Eclipse is not something that you see every day. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so mi did waa fi see what's going on. No big deal still; if it want to come, it come."

Another man who did not want to be named said that he was not concerned whether or not it happened.

"A mi car I'm working on from morning, I don't have time fi dem something deh. I heard about it, but shortly afterwards, mi forget," he said.

The Ministry of Health had advised Jamaicans not to look at the sun during the eclipse as this could cause damage to the retina.

A solar eclipse is an event where the moon passes between the sun and the earth, casting a shadow, which moves across the surface of the earth.

A partial solar eclipse happens when the moon comes between the sun and earth, but the moon only partially covers the sun's disc.

jodi-ann gilpin@gleanerjm.com