The historic Yerkes Observatory in Williams Bay, Wisconsin, has seen quite a few rare astronomical events in its 126-year history. Even a solar eclipse, a relatively common occurrence, drew over 300 people to the observatory to witness the phenomenon on Monday.
Observatory employee Mallory Conlon organized the event to commemorate the history of astronomical observations at Yerkes. She emphasized the importance of sharing this experience with the community, highlighting the numerous eclipse missions conducted by astronomers in Yerkes between the 1900s and 1950s. This once-in-a-lifetime event was not to be missed.
One attendee, Baisha Whitten, brought her family from Milwaukee to witness the eclipse, citing her passion for astronomy. She expressed the importance of creating lasting memories with her children, just as she remembers experiencing eclipses in her childhood. The sense of wonder and excitement about the event was palpable.
As the eclipse began, the crowd marveled at the sight before them. Witten described the experience as one of majesty and beauty that far exceeded her expectations. The event attracted such a large crowd that trolleybuses were needed to accommodate the large number of visitors.
Overall, the Yerkes Observatory solar eclipse event was a success, bringing people from all walks of life together to share in the wonder of the cosmos. It served as a reminder of the importance of preserving and nurturing astronomical history and tradition for future generations.
