NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Many across the country and in Hampton Roads watched in awe on Monday a phenomenon that hasn’t happened in almost a decade.
The solar eclipse started at 2:04 p.m. in our region, and reached its maximum viewing around 3:20 p.m.
More than a hundred people showed up to watch at Mount Trashmore and at First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach.
Many people told 10 On Your Side they were excited to take part, even if Hampton Roads wasn’t in the path of totality. The region saw just under 80% of the sun covered by the moon, meaning it didn’t go dark like in places such as Rochester, New York, or Cleveland, Ohio.
‘It’s just fun to be out when it turns dark, and it’s just amazing, really,” Norfolk resident Kathy Jennings said. “So, it’s one of those things, you hear about it and until it happens, you don’t know what to expect and it’s really great.”
Although the last solar eclipse that was visible in the United States was in 2017, another Norfolk resident, Sandy Mieczkrwski, said she hasn’t properly seen one since she was in kindergarten.
“So, it’ll be neat for the young ones to do it,” Mieczkrwski said.
Some members of the WAVY team checking out the eclipse right around its peak Monday afternoon. April 8, 2024 
Some members of the WAVY team checking out the eclipse right around its peak Monday afternoon. April 8, 2024 
Some members of the WAVY team checking out the eclipse right around its peak Monday afternoon. April 8, 2024
One of the most important things to remember when it comes to viewing the solar eclipse is safety.
Earlier in the week 10 On Your Side spoke with Dr. Kelly Herbst, astronomy manager at the Virginia Living Museum.
She said dark sunglasses won’t be enough to protect your eyes from being damaged.
“Sunglasses are not designed to protect your eyes from direct sunlight,” Herbst said. “They’re designed to protect your eyes from reflected sunlight glare, from sunlight bouncing off of the road or cars or other things around you. These solar eclipse glasses are designed to reduce the amount of light that comes in through these lenses to less than 1% of the light that impacts the outer surface. You want to make sure the glasses you have received an ISO mark or I-S-O mark.”
And you can get those glasses at Walmart, Kroger and other local grocery stores.
You also want to make sure that you’re not taking pictures or videos of the solar eclipse without a protective lens.
Go to the Eclipse 2024 Landing page for a list of local eclipse events.
