DAVIS, Calif — Dozens of people gathered to watch the solar eclipse, despite California not being in the path of totality. Some people called off work and skipped school to watch the spectacle.
"There's some things you got to see to believe," said one viewer.
Telescopes were set up in front of the Explorit Science Center in Davis.
The Davis Astronomy Club and dozens of visitors from Vacaville, Winters and Rancho Cordova stopped by.
"What is going on today is a partial solar eclipse. What's happening is the moon is actually moving in front of the sun and blocking out the sun's light. We are not having a total solar eclipse as they are in other parts of North America," said David Mues, program educator at the Explorit Science Center.
In Northern California, only about 35% of the sun was covered up. However, a few people played hooky just to catch a glimpse of it.
"I skipped school today, because I could see the solar eclipse... I really want to see the solar eclipse, and this is my first time seeing it," said Mason Tam, a boy who skipped school just to watch the eclipse.
Jessica Dauz-Dinoso said her husband called off work to watch the eclipse.
"My husband surprised me on my first solar eclipse viewing. This is something we're both interested in doing, and today, he just woke me up. And I thought he was supposed to be at work, and I'm freaking out thinking, 'Why are you here?' And now we're here," she said.
The most significant moments from the solar eclipse came from those behind viewing glasses.
"This is the first time I'm doing it with a group. I've watched it in my backyard, and it was boring. So, it's fun when you're seeing it with a group," said Shahlia Farahnak, a Winters resident who traveled to Davis to see the eclipse.
Families are making memories to last a lifetime.
"I'm always gonna remember this," said Tam.
If you missed the event, the Explorit Science Center says you can expect another partial social eclipse in January 2029, but they say visibility will depend on the weather.
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