On August 24, 2017, in the middle of the day, grades 4 through 12 gathered outside, put on their glasses, and looked up at the sky to watch it go almost black. This was a rare occurrence caused by a solar eclipse. Schools shut down, interstates were backed up, and the prices on everything skyrocketed. The sun reached totality in Carbondale and Wayne City residents saw it reach 98% in their own hometown. Isaac Loker, a Junior, thought the eclipse was very neat to look at.  

In the months prior to the eclipse, many people in Southern Illinois rented out their houses and spaces in their yards. Stadiums and dorm rooms were rented out. Prices were boosted on hotels, gas, and commodities.  Hotel rooms in Carbondale, Illinois and Mt. Vernon, Illinois were going for around $1,000. People rented their houses for anywhere from $1,000 to $8,000. Junior, Chasidy Greenwalt said, “I know seeing the totality of the eclipse would have been cool, but I would much rather spend my money on something that interests me, like pigs.”  

Even though this event drew the attention of many, the eclipse was somewhat dangerous. Experts recommend no one should look at the sun, but attendees who purchased special eclipse glasses could safely view the sun without side effects. Viewers who did not use safety glasses could notice the effects anywhere from 20 seconds after looking at the sun to several years later.  These effects are not enough, however, to deter the many individuals who are already preparing for the next eclipse in 2024.