Visitors gather to witness rare astronomical event
April 10, 2024
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The Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Legacy Management (LM) is fortunate to have two sites that were in the path of a solar eclipse April 8, 2024, when the moon blocked the sun, and hundreds of visitors came to the sites to not only see the eclipse but to learn about LM.
Science and public education are core to LM’s mission, and the locations of the Fernald Preserve Visitors Center near Hamilton, Ohio, and the Weldon Spring Site Interpretive Center in St. Charles, Missouri, provided opportunities for people to experience science and nature, while observing a rare astrological event.
Fantastic Views at Fernald
Located perfectly in the path of totality, a partial eclipse graced the sky between 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., but stealing the show was what visitors described as the “awe-inspiring total eclipse,” which occurred at 3:09 p.m., casting darkness for a thrilling one minute and eight seconds.
Fernald Preserve staff welcomed visitors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and provided viewing glasses.
“The Fernald Preserve has a strong relationship with science and technology, and we are grateful that the site is in the path of totality for this solar eclipse,” Fernald Preserve Site Manager Brian Zimmerman said. “This is a great opportunity to showcase the site’s history and our long-term stewardship mission. We are thrilled that we could open the site and Visitors Center as an asset to the community.”
According to Zimmerman, more than 600 people participated in the event, and some made craft pinhole cameras, enjoyed hikes, and much more.
Cincinnati Astronomical Society members also answered questions about the eclipse and Midwest Society of Acoustic Ecology members offered a “sound walk,” so visitors could learn how the eclipse affects the sounds of nature.
Visitors to the Fernald Preserve near Hamilton, Ohio, prepare for Monday’s solar eclipse. More than 600 participated in the activities. More than 170 attended a similar event at the Weldon Spring Site in St. Charles, Missouri.
A Watch Party at Weldon
At LM's Weldon Spring Site in St. Charles, Missouri, visitors hiked to the summit of the disposal cell, where they could observe 360-degree views of the area and the near-total (approximately 98%) eclipse from the highest publicly accessible point in St. Charles County.
“More than 170 people visited the site to view the eclipse. It was great to see so many people interested and excited about science,” said Weldon Spring Site Manager Rebecca Roberts.
Weldon Spring staff also offered viewing glasses as visitors spread out blankets for the viewing.