Guest Speaker Dan Schneiderman from Rochester Museum and Science Center shared interesting facts about solar eclipses during a December 8, 2023, visit with Calkins Road Middle School cast members of the new musical “Midnight at Midday: The Musical Tales of an Eclipse,” which premieres on February 1-2 at 7 p.m. and February 3 at 2:07 p.m. (2:07 p.m. is the precise time of the total solar eclipse on April 8). The musical, which will be reprised on April 6 and 7 as a featured event of Rochester’s Eclipse Celebration, was inspired by the upcoming April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse, and is written by Calkins Road Middle School teacher John Beel.

While sharing slides and fielding questions from students, Schneiderman pointed out the interesting occurrences students should look for during the total solar eclipse. For example, at the point of totality when the moon completely blocks the sun, temperatures will drop 10 degrees, shadows will become really sharp, it will become eerily still, wildlife may react strangely, and there will be a 360 degree sunset. He also spoke about using eclipse viewing glasses to see “Bailey’s Beads” from light escaping through the edges of the eclipse and a “Diamond Ring” of the sun’s outer atmosphere glowing around the moon’s edges.

Eclipse viewing glasses are essential to protecting eyes from damage when looking at an eclipse and are equivalent to more than a hundred pairs of stacked sunglass lenses. Calkins Road Middle School will be selling protective souvenir eclipse viewing glasses during ticket sales, and a pair of these will become part of the Rochester Museum and Science Center’s historical archive which will house memorabilia from all official Rochester-related eclipse events.

Calkins Road Middle School Presents the World Premiere of “Midnight at Midday: The Musical Tales of an Eclipse”

• February 1-2 at 7 p.m. and February 3 at 2:07 p.m.
  
  
• April 6 at 7 p.m. and April 7 at 2:07 p.m.
  
  
• Calkins Road Middle School, 1899 Calkins Road, Pittsford
  
  
• $10 tickets – pre-sales at https://crmsdramaclub.ludus.com, and at the door, if seats are still available

Inspired by the upcoming April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse, this heartfelt script written by Calkins Road teacher John Beel tells the story of several strangers who meet at the moment of totality. It is rich with science and folklore from around the world. The music, by award-winning composer and Pittsford resident Casey Filiaci, features a dozen original songs that capture the magic and mystery of the eclipse experience and the joy of human connection.