Washington Memorial Library hosts solar eclipse viewing party at Daisy Park

Middle Georgia residents were among the many people across the country who eagerly awaited the much-anticipated solar eclipse on Monday.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Middle Georgia residents were among the many people across the country who eagerly awaited the much-anticipated solar eclipse on Monday.

Despite not being in the path of totality, many people in Middle Georgia still enjoyed a partial eclipse and celebrated the rare event.

Washington Memorial Library in Macon hosted a viewing party for the solar eclipse at Daisy Park. People gathered there to get their hands on solar eclipse glasses. However, the 50 pairs library staff brought with them were all gone within minutes.

However, those who weren’t able to obtain glasses got creative and made their own solar viewers using a box and aluminum foil.

Patricia Sims, a Macon resident, didn’t get glasses but was able to get her hands on a DIY solar viewer.

“I feel super special to be able to see one,” she said. “And I know I probably won’t be able to see another one, so this has got to be my best one yet.”

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, causing the “day” to turn to “night.” While Middle Georgia wasn’t in the path of totality, it didn’t stop the excitement.

The next solar eclipse is not expected to be visible coast-to-coast in the U.S. until 2045.