Solar Eclipse Draws Hundreds To Woodlands Library

THE WOODLANDS, TX — The rare occurrence of a near total solar eclipse drew hundreds of spectators to the South Regional Library in The Woodlands Monday afternoon.

Cars, SUV’s and minivans filled spaces in the library parking lot, forcing many to park across the street or along the street a block away, hoping to be able to see the celestial show.

Some came with prepared with the necessary solar eclipse glasses, while others were able to get a free pair from the library when they arrived.

“This looks like a big piece of cheese,” said Heather Jones who stared up at the sun before handing the goggles back to her son, Trey.

Jones, who was out with her son and others in her home school group in Town Green Park, said they felt the experience would be fun for the children.

“This was a once in a lifetime experience and a good opportunity, something local that we could come and do,” she said.

For weeks, the anticipation of the eclipse has drawn more hype that the Super bowl and the World Cup combined, resulting in people looking for a prime spot to gaze upward to the heavens without burning their retinas

And some were especially creative.

Lonnie Smith had several rolls of 35mm file that he’d unraveled and held in front of his eyes to view the eclipse, a trick he said they learned in science class when he was in school in the 60s.

Nearby a group of three women attempted to project the images through a colander onto a cardboard box, while another wore a pair of welding goggles.

On a small hill adjacent Town Green Park, next to the library, Meddy Vasser of the Woodlands rigged a pair of binoculars to a box on a tripod, hoping the shadows would project inside the box.

Ana Meza, 28, and Fanny Medrano, 20, who were unable to get glasses at the library or the nearby Walmart to were intrigued with Vasser’s set, and watched her as she kept checking to make sure it didn’t fall over.

“We’re really excited about this,” Meza said. “because they are saying there won’t be another for a hundred years.”

A few feet away, Michael Westphal set up his telescope that drew in the image of the eclipse and projected onto a white posterboard that drew dozens of spectators.

Periodically, he’d make adjustments on a keypad to move the lense to the center of the paper

“I am an amateur astronomer, and I do this for fun,” he said. “My wife works at the library and I knew they would not have enough glasses, so this worked.”

The next solar eclipse is expected in 2024.

Image: Bryan Kirk/Patch Staff

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