LAWRENCE — A dozen people had the same notion: See the April 8 solar eclipse from atop the McGovern Transportation Center.
On Level 5 at South Union and Merrimack streets, the first looks through eclipse glasses drew gasps, exclamations, and at least one scream.
The scream of delight came from Daisy DeLalla.
“I’ve never seen an eclipse before,” said DeLalla, 29.
She was part of a contingent from the neighboring New Balance factory gathered at the roof’s South Union Street end.
The crew lifted their protected eyes to the moon-covered sun.
The muted light and rare occasion put them in a happy mood – New Years Eve-ish, with lots of chatter, joking and laughter.
As shadows grew, a commuter rail came and went. A private plane, a helicopter, and pigeons and geese passed overhead.
On the roof’s Merrimack Street side Elaine Sanchez and Amanda Kuffoh took in the astral sight.
Kuffoh lives across the street at the Riverwalk apartments and knew the McGovern heights would give them a better view.
Sanchez was living on Cape Cod during the last solar eclipse in 2017 and missed it.
The next one to be visible throughout North America won’t be until Aug. 23, 2044. So she wanted to be sure to catch this one.
The darkening orb, rimmed with a thinning golden crescent, slid counter clockwise, like a happy face smile, before the sky again lightened.
Two couples witnessed the eclipse from cozy and more secluded vantages.
One couple watched from their van.
Another sat arm in arm in the far corner, cherishing the moment together in the dimming light.