Sky gazers awed by solar eclipse

Story and photos by Allison Scarbrough, News Editor

DENVER TOWNSHIP, Newaygo County — About 100 local people gathered to watch a celestial phenomenon at the Stephen F. Wessling Observatory near Hesperia Monday, April 8.

The Newaygo County Dark Sky Astronomers hosted a solar eclipse open house at the observatory, which is located at the Kropscott Farm Environmental Center.

“Earle Kropscott was a chemical engineer from Dow Chemical,” said Ned Hughes, vice president of the astronomers club. The observatory is situated on the Kropscott centennial farmland. “He was raised on this property.” The late Kropscott was an inventor who developed patents for useful products, such as canteens US soldiers used during World War II and household leftover storage staple Saran Wrap, said Hughes.

“He and Steve Wessling, who the observatory was named after, were good friends. Earle donated the 80 acres to the conservation district with the proviso that we would develop an observatory because Steve was an amateur astronomer.” 

The Fremont Area Community Foundation bestowed a $150,000 grant for the renovation of the farmhouse which includes two state-of-art research labs. Area students tour the facility for field trips and receive hands-on science and environmental lessons. “Their eyes get real big,” said Hughes of the kids’ reactions to the lessons.

Solar glasses were scarce and difficult to acquire in the days leading up to the eclipse. The astronomers club had glasses available for $2 each. Viewers could also use telescopes equipped with special solar filters. 

Jacob Terrien and his mom Cindy were among the local eclipse viewers gathered at the observatory to watch the moon’s shadow travel at 1,500 mph to eclipse the sun in the clear blue skies.

“This is the perfect day — not a cloud in sight,” said Jacob. “It couldn’t be a better day.”

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