We’ve had some pretty large crowds at the SMV, but Aug. 21 of 2017 was one of the largest I’ve seen. Since we gave away 750 pairs of eclipse glasses, I’m estimating we had at least 800 people there. As you can see from the pictures here and below, it was pretty much standing room only. Since the eclipse started around 1:30, it was perfect that the SMV had arranged for several food trucks to be there, too.
Richmond only saw 86% of a total eclipse, but it was pretty dramatic, anyway.
I had the club’s Coronado telescope attached to my main scope (safely taped up) for guiding, and one young man was so impressed that he exclaimed “That’s the greatest thing I’ve seen in my life.”
