Across Green Country people gathered to experience the solar eclipse as it moved across Oklahoma.
While in Tulsa the eclipse only hit 95% totality. Hundreds of people lined the streets of Russellville, Arkansas on Monday to get a glimpse of a total eclipse.
2 News crews also watched the totality in Arkansas after re-routing due to cloud cover in southeastern Oklahoma.
Anchor Karen Larsen talked to people about why they traveled to see the total eclipse:
2 News Samson Tamijani also in Russellville talked to the crowds.
A solar eclipse happens when the moon gets directly in between the Earth and the sun. Essentially, the moon is casting its shadow on the Earth.
Chief Meteorologist Michael Seger explains:
Guthrie Green:
Guthrie Green hosted the 'Solar Spectacle' from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Over 300 people attended the space-themed watch party. As they gathered they felt the temperatures get noticeably cooler and cloudier in town.
2 News talked to one woman came from Jacksonville. She said Tulsa is clean and has 'great culture.'
Bixby North Intermediate:
Bixby Public Schools let 2 News Anchor Erin Christy join the kids at one elementary school as they witnessed the eclipse and learned about the history and science of the event.
All of the students at Bixby North Intermediate went outside for about an hour. The school put out an Amazon wish list to make sure all students had eclipse glasses to wear.
They secured enough donations within two hours for all the kids to take part.
Mayo Demonstration:
In Tulsa students at Mayo spend a day learning about space tied into the eclipse.
Broken Arrow:
Hundreds of people showed up to the Broken Arrow Library to grab a pair of glasses, and a seat on the lawn ahead of the eclipse.
People of all ages had their eyes to the sky, counting down the minutes to peak totality. The BAPL got their glasses months in advance to make sure they were prepared.
Jason Evans was sky gazing at the library with his wife Rayanne and daughter Riley. He said being such a rare event, they wanted to make sure they could make it a memory together.
“We lived in Oregon back in 2017 when that eclipse came through and it was such an impactful and kind of momentous moment for me,” said Evans. “It was something that you don’t always experience and so being able to have my daughter now who’s three who wasn’t alive the last time, having her here for this one is something I really wanted to share with her.”
Three generations of Chris Fields’ family joined the crowd Monday afternoon. Fields had his daughter and grandson with him, who were eagerly awaiting the moon crossing paths with the sun.
Always trying to make the most of moments with his family, Fields said he was excited to spend the day outside, “It means everything to me,” said Fields. “We try to share and capture as many moments as we can together, so I’ve been looking forward to this one with him.”
His 5-year-old grandson Wyatt Howerton had his glasses in hand, and said he was excited for ‘this day to be good.’ “I just want to see the moon,” said Wyatt. “I think I can see the moon cross over the sun.”
Tee Pee Drive Inn:
At the Tee Pee Drive In in Sapulpa eclipse watchers listened to Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon."
Collinsville:
Seniors in Collinsville gathered to experience the eclipse.
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