Solar eclipse captivates base community

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Woman in uniform and child look up toward sky.

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U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Chiquita McKenzie, 99th Airlift Squadron aviation resource manager flight chief, watches the solar eclipse with her son Major at Joint Base Andrews, Md., April 8, 2024. The last total solar eclipse visible from North America was in 2017. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gianluca Ciccopiedi)

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The moon eclipses the sun over Joint Base Andrews, Md., April 8, 2024. The solar eclipse reached 87% totality over the National Capital Region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alex Broome)

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U.S. Air Force Col. Todd E. Randolph, 316th Wing and installation commander, looks up toward the solar eclipse at Joint Base Andrews, Md., April 8, 2024. The solar eclipse peaked at 87% in the National Capital Region and lasted for approximately 3 and a half minutes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alex Broome)

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A community member watches the solar eclipse with eclipse glasses at Joint Base Andrews, Md., April 8, 2024. At its peak, the solar eclipse blocked approximately 87% of the face of the sun in the National Capital Region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gianluca Ciccopiedi)

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U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Keturah Maurice, National Guard Bureau force management program manager, holds protective eyewear in front of her camera for a picture of the solar eclipse at Joint Base Andrews, Md., April 8, 2024. The eclipse peaked at 3:20 p.m. EST in the National Capital Region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alex Broome)

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U.S. Air Force Col. Kristen McCall, 316th Wing staff judge advocate, observes the solar eclipse at Joint Base Andrews, Md., April 8, 2024. ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses were distributed in order to safely view the astronomical event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alex Broome)

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Sophia Vu, 316th Wing Commander’s Action Group non-commissioned officer in charge, views the solar eclipse through her phone's camera at Joint Base Andrews, Md., April 8, 2024. The eclipse peaked at 3:20 p.m. ET in the National Capital Region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alex Broome)

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Community members take turns watching the solar eclipse with eclipse glasses at Joint Base Andrews, Md., April 8, 2024. The solar eclipse moved across North America, passing over Mexico, the United States and Canada. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gianluca Ciccopiedi)

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –

Service members and families across Joint Base Andrews observed the solar eclipse over the National Capital Region, Monday.

Although the base was not in the path of complete totality, the local area experienced 87% coverage, peaking at approximately 3:20 p.m. EST. The entire astronomical event transpired over 2.5 hours.

Eclipse glasses were distributed to numerous base spectators, providing protection from the sun to allow safe viewing of the solar eclipse.

The next total solar eclipse visible over the contiguous United States will occur on Aug. 23, 2044.

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Joint Base Andrews-Naval Air Facility Washington

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