Adler Planetarium Partial Solar Eclipse Event

On October 23, I drove down to the Adler Planetarium to view the partial solar eclipse.  I had no idea what to expect, but I chose to attend the event because I find things related the space interesting and I've always been a fan of the planetarium.  We arrived at around 4:00 and took a little tour through the building.  In one room, we messed around with an interactive screen that allowed us to ask different questions about space.  In another room, a scientist was giving a lecture to the public on the eclipse while they watched it in real time (from a feed in California). 

At around 4:30, I walked outside to try to see the eclipse with me own eyes. The outside of the museum was packed - and I could tell I was in the company of some really interesting science-lovers.  One astrophysicist approached me to offer special glasses. I was in awe. I'm not sure if I had ever met an astrophysicist before!  

Anyways, the eclipse itself was not too easy to see because the clouds were dark and low and kept blocking the sun. The most interesting part of the day, though, was being in the company of fellow Chicagoans who are genuinely interested in space.  It reminded me of the fact that we live in a city with tons of really intellectual people who will take time out of their days to see something like this. I guess it made me feel good about being a Chicagoan and a human.