Solar Eclipses in Wyoming’s Past – Sheridan Wyoming Travel Guide (2024)

News – Sheridan Media

Computer generated eclipse photo. (Rhoades/Vannoy photo)

The upcoming solar eclipse on October 14, can be seen in Sheridan, depending on the weather. About 60% of the sun will be in the moon’s shadow.

The last ‘ring of fire’ or total solar eclipse visible in Wyoming was on August 21, 2017 and many people made the trek to Jackson Hole to see the extraordinary spectacle. Eclipse glasses were sold and/or given away, and one enterprising brewer even came out with Eclipse Beer.

(Vannoy photo)

Almost 100 years before, on June 8, 1918, another total solar eclipse was observed in Wyoming. Before that there was one on Jan 1, 1889, the next two total solar eclipses visible from Wyoming will be on May 3 of 2106 and on Jun 25 2169

Several articles appeared in the Wyoming newspapers about the 1918 eclipse, and this was from the Wyoming State Tribune, on May 17, – (This is an excerpt from a much longer article) All the early chronicles contain notes of the eclipses and attempts to connect them with important events of the time. We may mention here two of the most interesting stories found in the annals.

The Chinese have the great credit of possessing the very first record of a solar eclipse, which occurred back in 2136 B. C. It appears in the writings that the two astronomers royal failed to prophesy this eclipse and to go through the proper ceremonies for warding off the evil which might ensue there from. To appease the wrath of the powers above the emperor at once took the proper measures. He executed the astronomers.

Another eclipse, that of 585 B.C. was foretold by the great Greek astronomer, Thales of Miletus and thus probably was the first one prophesied by a European. This eclipse had the good effect of making peace between the Medes and the Lydians, who had been engaged in a was for several years. The eclipse took place in the midst of a hotly contested battle and scared both sides into a cessation of hostilities.

These records of eclipses are of great importance to the modern historian, for with the help of the astronomer he is able to settle more or less definitely a great many dates in ancient history which would otherwise remain unknown.

The 2017 Eclipse in Wyoming. (Vannoy Photo)

Phenomena of the Eclipse –“The moon is, of course, quite close to the sun just before the beginning of the eclipse but naturally is invisible to us. Suddenly we find that a little dent has been made in the sun’s previously perfect edge. Very slowly the dark area increases as the moon progresses eastward in its course. So far nothing about us seems changed; the day is as bright as ever. Half of the sun becomes covered and still we are in broad daylight. But the moon steadily continues to decrease the sun’s brilliant surface and when only a slight crescent remains, we notice that darkness is really gathering. If we are located near a leafy tree, we will find that its shadow is interspersed with crescents of light, which are images of the sun produced by the small openings amongst the branches and leaves, a pinhole camera effect.

As the crescent dwindles to a thin line of light the darkness becomes more marked. In the instant that the sun is entirely obliterated the darkness is like deep twilight and through a psychological effect decidedly uncanny. Then there flash into view around the black disk of the moon rose-red prominence which shoot out from the sun thousands of miles into space; around the entire sun play the pale halo and the streamers of the solar corona. In the absence of the direct sunlight, The neighboring first magnitude stars and planets become visible We shall probably see Aldebaran, Sirius, The Twins and the Orion stars, as well as the planets Jupiter and Mercury the latter of which is always close to the sun. We can tell of this wonderful sight, but cannot describe it adequately. Go and see for yourself. As we stand gazing in silence the moon moves steadily onward, and presently uncovers the western limb of the sun. A beam of direct sunlight strikes the earth and immediately the vision of beauty vanished. The eclipse returns once more to the partial phase, bringing the day back with it, but the image of solar glory remains with us forever.

Cheyenne Daily Leader, October 18, 1903 – Odd And Interesting Notes.- Some days before the recent solar eclipse occurred the mayor of Shanghai Issued proclamation, the purport of which was that all citizens should try their utmost to appease the heavenly powers while the phenomenon was in force. The proclamation began as follows: “On the first day of the third month of the second year of the reign of the Emperor Kouang Sou, great dog will begin to devour the sun.” Enigmatic this statement seems to us, but in China it is well understood, as is proved by the fact that on the day of the eclipse large crowds gathered in various places, and by threats and shouts did their best to prevent the ravenous dog from devouring the sacred sun.

The Rawlins Republican, July 26, 1894

Lander Eagle and Riverton Chronicle, June 7, 1918 – (The Chronicle astronomical editor, who has been working in a livery stable for the past three years owing to celestial inactivity, has been prevailed upon to favor our readers with a brief dissertation on “Solar Eclipses as Observed Through the Bottom of a Cut Glass Tumbler.’’) Tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon, if you keep a sharp lookout, you will be able to observe one of the greatest of all celestial phenomena, a total eclipse of the sun. It will not be absolutely total at Riverton, but only about 99 per cent so, but this is a pretty fair batting average. Our ancestors used to delight in telling us how on such occasions chickens went to roost, tomcats climbed the fence and locomotive engineers blew their whistles with great violence, forgetting that people were not trying to sleep. We have often wondered whether those old timers were more truthful than the present generation and we shall relish this opportunity of finding out. Solar eclipses arc caused by the moon passing between the earth and the sun, and thus doth the lesser glory dim the greater. The sun is located 93 million miles away from the earth, and some days this spring it seemed even farther than that, but it is so large that it can be seen by the human eye. If the eye is naked, it can be seen with more comfort when eclipsed than at other times.

It was formerly thought that eclipses brought on war, but science now believes that war brings on eclipses and Saturday’s phenomenon is the attempt of the heavenly bodies and other democratic influences to obscure the Kaiser’s place in the sun. Unless delayed by a washout or a belated connection, the eclipse is advertised to begin at 4:12 p. m. (war time) and will reach its totality at 5:23, emerging from the shadow at 6:27. It is going to be a large sight and all should avail themselves of the opportunity of witnessing this celestial performance and testing the veracity of their progenitors. Everybody is invited, all seats are free and no collection will be taken for the Red Cross.

The Powell Tribune, May 31, 1918 – Solar Eclipse – On the afternoon of Saturday, June 8, 1918, the wonderful spectacle of a total solar eclipse will be visible, weather permitting, over a track extending from the Pacific (Washington) to the Atlantic (Florida.) This track of the moon’s shadow is 70 miles wide at the western coast, narrowing to 40 miles in Florida. It crosses also parts of the states of Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma. Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. For about an hour the moon will gradually encroach upon the sun’s disk, the daylight will fade, then the narrowing crescent of the sun will suddenly disappear, and around the jet-black ball of the moon, hanging in the northwestern sky among brighter stars, will be seen the pearly radiance of the mysterious solar corona. The remarkable spectacle may be enjoyed for 122 seconds at the western coast and half that time in Florida. Then the crescent of the sun will appear on the other (western) side of the moon, and after another hour the full disk of the sun will shine as usual. This event happens at any one place, average, only three times in a thousand years. The high elevation and favorable skies of western Kansas, Colorado, and the northwest will attract many visitors for the occasion. It Is hoped that the film companies, after learning from the astronomers what apparatus is necessary. will obtain good records of the spectacle for the benefit of the public. The last total eclipse visible in the United States occurred on May 28, 1900. and was well observed in the southeastern states, from Louisiana to Virginia. The next Important one in America will take place in 1945.

The Daily Boomerang, December 31, 1888 – Nature’s New Year’s gift to the inhabitants of earth will this time be in the form of a total eclipse of the sun, and if the day be clear a treat is in store for all who care to watch. Tomorrow at 1:57 p.m. the eclipse will begin and will remain in progress until 4:22, ending just a short time before sundown. Of the twelve digits into which astronomers divide our sun, nearly eleven will be obscured, thus giving Laramie’s people a very nearly total eclipse. Unfortunately, the path of totality of all solar eclipses is comparatively narrow, rarely exceeding 100 miles, and in this case that path runs somewhat to the north of us. The central line of totality strikes the west coast of the United States at Point Arena, California, and runs thence northeasterly, passing through Winnemucca, Nevada. Mountain Meadows. Idaho, and finally terminating at a point near Lake Winnipeg. A total solar eclipse is one of nature’s finest sublimest phenomena, and if we are given a clear sky our people will be highly favored indeed.

Do Not Try to Look at the Eclipse with Your Naked Eyes!!!! This can be very hazardous and may damage your eyes!!! Today, there are special glasses made for viewing the eclipse, but in the early 1900’s people used smoked glass, which is still not an entirely safe way to observe the spectacle. Kids might enjoy making a ‘pin-hole’ camera, which is a way to ‘see’ the eclipse safely. Instructions are available on the Internet.

The Wyoming Times, in Evanston, Wyoming, on June 13, 1918, had this brief comment; The eclipse of the sun as seen at Evanston last Saturday evening, was 97 percent total. The sky was a trifle cloudy, but there was a great display of smoked glass, and most everyone had a peep at ‘ Old Sol” hidden for a short time by his sister “Luna.” The eclipse appears to have cleared the weather. The next one will be in 1923.

And this appeared in The Laramie Republican, June 8, 1918

So, on Saturday, enjoy the eclipse, but remember to do it safely.

Last modified: October 12, 2023