Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-07-21
YEARS GREATEST FREE SHOW
Area Gets Pin-Ho|e View of Eclipse

IN DdckyardS q no play
grounds, on street corners and
rooftops throughout the WASH
ington area, thousands yester-
day witnessed the greatest free
show Of the year.
The eclipse Of the sun, by
consensus, was well worth wait
ing for and watching. But
some Washingtonians found
that their pinhole- viewing de-
vices didn't work as well as
they had hoped. The pinholes
were too big-or the images
were too small.
The solar eclipse of July 20,
1868, was the most safety
conscious event of its kind
ever to occur. Public health
agencies had been hammering
away for weeks on the theme
Of 'Don't!" Don't look at the
sun-don't trust to smoked
glass-don't rely on welder's
goggles.
Quite a Sight
One lady wanted to know
why they were having the
eclipse if people weren't al
lowed to look at it.
Throughout the area, i'm
promptu-and a few promptu
groups gathered for eclipse
watching. s pm e observers
weren't too sure what they
were seeing. But most agreed
it was quite a sight.
One man, looking through a
thick film filter at the crescent
shape of the eclipsed sun, COM
planned that he couldn't see
the sun at adjust the moon.
When a companion explained
that the crescent was the sun,
the man thought for a minute,
said ooh" and handed the film
filter back.
Teachers Watch
About IS elementary school
teachers with their families and
friends watched the eclipse in
Fort Reno Park at Fortieth
and Chesapeake streets NV.
They were students in a course
at American University on SCI
ence for elementary teachers,
taught in terms Of space sci
ence.
With the sky clouded over
about the time the eclipse was
to begin, DR.. James Krebs,
former president Of the Ma
tional Capital Astronomers, an
amateur group, began a lecture
to the teachers.
Within a few minutes, how
ever, someone shouted, ooh,
look, it's started" and the talk
ended abruptly while the teach
ers looked through their dark
film strips and pin-hole-reflec-
tor viewers.
Lecture Cut Short
/ ut looks like the suns the
NOON" said Jerry DiCairano,
IL, one Of the students In the
American University class, the
son of Mrs. Virginia DiCairano.
a fourth grade teacher at
Wheaton Woods Elementary
School.
Mrs. Sylvia Shugrue. science
consultant in the District ele-
mentary schools, teaches the
American University class with
DR.. Bernice Lamberton, a
teacher at Georgetown Vista
ton Junior College.
Mrs. Shugrue had o screen
she had made with q shoebox
and said the class would dis
cuss what they saw and how
to make use Of 1t In the teach
ing of children at the next
meeting on Monday.
Provides Inspiration
Inspiration Is the motive
here" she said. THAT gives you
everything to go on for learn
ing"
Two first grade teachers al
ready were discussing what
their small pupils might get
out Of the observations they
were making.
First graders are really in
terested in travel to the moon,"
Mrs. Warren Foster Of Brook
mont School in Montgomery
County, said. "They take that
in better than they do q trip
to Texas"
yes" agreed Mrs. Helen
Taylor Of Chevy Chase Ele-
mentary School. They can look
up and see the sun, but they
can't look across the country
and see Texas"
II felt excited when I saw
it." Carol Lehr, IL, said.
Dads Explanation
Carol said that as she under
stood it from a previous expla-
nation from her father. Paul
Lehr, who Is with the Ma
tional Weather Satellite Gen.
ter. "the sun and moon are
kind Of lined up together"
Carols mother is a fifth-grade
teacher at Forest Knobs Ele-
mentary.
Fresh from winning the
prize in a swimming relay race
at Chantilly. Va, and wearing
an orange baseball cap was
Jimmy Ratkus, 8. q third
grader at Washington Mil
School In Fairfax County.
THE moon gets over the
sun and blacks 1t out" Jimmy
explained to those around him.
Some Can't See
In some areas Of Washing
ton. the eclipse was not the
greatest show on-or Off
earth.
At Lamond Center. Kansas
avenue and Tuckerman street
NE, a handful of children