The Solar eclipse festival was celebrated on August 21, 2017 in the Continental Unites States of America. The festival was celebrated from the 19th of August till the 21st of August. The festival was celebrated to mark the celestial wonder- solar eclipse, for the first time in the United States since 1918. The festival was celebrated in Eastern Oregon. The celebrations were hosted at a peaceful farm situated in Oregon’s Snake River Valley. The first two days saw the celebrations with renowned Scientists, Researchers, Explorers, Musician’s and the legendary Sun Ra Arkestra’s performance. The festival continues till the midday of 21st, when the people experienced a total solar eclipse for two complete minutes. This was a once in a life time opportunity they had witnessed.
Music Festival
Sun Ra, led by Marshall Allen, put up an outstanding performance. The people thoroughly enjoyed the jazz music. The psychic Ills amazed the people with their drums. Helado Negro, an English and Spanish songwriter, amazed the crowd with his choicest songs.
Science Lectures
Many renowned scientists and Professors motivates and enthralled the crowd with their speech. Clara Moskovitz, a senior editor specialized in astronomy and physics, spoke on her experience on rocket launches and spaceflight training. Sir Paul O’Connor, lectured about sub- atomic particles, Dark energy and, matter. He is currently designing the largest digital camera ever. Mr. Jorge Cham, a famous science comic strip designer gave endowment talks on his works. Ross Anderson spoke about philosophy and science. Summer Ash, a rocket scientist, spoke about radio astronomy. Christopher Intagliata gave his lecture on the topic “A relatively Important Eclipse” that portrayed the historical importance of the particular solar eclipse. Sir. Michael Lemonick promoted his books on the space and cosmos. The stories he featured on the National Geographic was displayed for the public. Daniel Whiteson lectured on particle physics. As an initiative to increase the public’s knowledge about space and eclipse, interactive activities were conducted by nonprofit Science Friday.
Stargazing.
Stargazing sessions with telescope was held on the 20th August with Summer Ash. Eclipse doodling competitions were also held that same night.
Final day
On the last day of the festival, Ross Anderson handled the morning session and lectured on “What is means when the sun goes dark”. This enlightened the crowd about solar eclipse. This excited them making them look forward to 12 pm when they could finally witness the solar eclipse. At 10 am they had a session – Countdown to totality with Atlas Obcura. From 11 pm to 12 pm Eclipse viewing and photography sessions were implemented. The U.S witnessed a total solar eclipse for two minutes from 12::00 pm to 12:02 pm. The experience and feedbacks from the people shows the solar festival was quite a take!
