Photos: Solar Eclipse 2017 Draws Excited Crowd To Custer Observatory

SOUTHOLD, NY — History was made in Southold Monday as hundreds turned out to watch Solar Eclipse 2017 at the Custer Observatory, sharing a moment in time all agreed they'd remember forever.

Main Bayview Road was lined with cars as the crowd hurried excitedly to Custer, where they set up picnic blankets and lawn chairs and got ready to watch what all agreed was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Young and old were awed by event, donning eclipse glasses or using homemade eclipse viewers, constructed out of cereal boxes, to view a 74 percent eclipse in Southold. Many watched an educational video first, presented by Custer.

Custer music director Anne Spooner said the crowd was thrilled by the event, which, said, had been given a great deal of coverage. The crowd could either watch outside with glasses, through telescopes with special filters, or on a livestream of the event televised inside.

Noah Berry said he was excited, since the last total solar eclipse was in 1979.

"I'm glad we took the time to experience this," one woman, Marianne, said.

"Time passes, and so does the moon," added Edward Harold.

Matt Stein, who brought his daughter, used to work for the Science Channel and said the huge turnout was indicative of a growing interest in science nationwide — as well as initiatives encouraging girls and young women, though the STEM program, to pursue careers and opportunities in the field of science.

Former Greenport Mayor David Kapell, who attended with his wife Eileen, said it was important to take the time to experience the eclipse. "It's once in a lifetime," he said.

And, added Joe McCarthy, who attended with his daughter Anna, the event brought the community together, with everyone sharing their eclipse glasses. Due to Southold's caring and generous spirit, "Every child here today will be able to see the eclipse," he said.

Photos by Lisa Finn, as well as Anna and Joe McCarthy.