The science behind an eclipse

By: Bre Crockett, Contributing Writer

​On April 8, Mrs. Tonya Schmidt’s physics class embarked on a scientific journey as they observed the solar eclipse.

Equipped with professional Vernier software and sensors, students recorded temperature, light, magnetic field and air pressure readings throughout the event.

As the moon blocks the sun, temperature and light levels fluctuate, showcasing the sun’s influence on our environment. Surprisingly, air pressure remained constant, while the magnetic field exhibited subtle changes. With the magnetic field, if you held a compass during the eclipse, your north and south poles on the compass would be slightly off by a few degrees.

Using a colander, students projected the eclipse’s shadow onto the sidewalk, offering an astounding visual representation. Foreign language teacher Mrs. Exendine’s disco ball added another view, reflecting the eclipse onto the school building in a crescent shape, unlike the typical circle you would see with the sun in full view.

Physics students also took on the role of educators, hosting a demo table explaining the rarity of solar and lunar eclipses, while exploring the Purkinje effect on colored objects. The Purkinje effect is when light darkens, your vision leans towards the blue side of the color spectrum. 

Schmidt emphasized the importance of giving her students this experience. “This was a real world application of their use,” she began. “I wanted my students to feel the thrill of the world around them. I wanted that for the whole student body, not just my students.”

Centralia High School senior Susanna Nix, who is going to college for chemical and environmental engineering, gave us what she enjoyed about monitoring the solar eclipse. “[I enjoyed] the proof of physical, real-world processes that we were able to see through our set up,” she began. “Usually we simulate these processes during synthetic labs, but seeing it happen of its own accord was super impressive and honestly inspiring.”
 
With solar eclipse glasses provided by the school district, students and faculty marveled at the beauty of the cosmos. "What a view and day it was!" exclaimed Mrs. Schmidt, encapsulating the awe and excitement felt by all students and staff alike.