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The Feb 26, 1998 solar eclipse which was total in Aruba was only 22% in Red Bank. S*T*A*R had made plans weeks in advance of the event to show the public what was visible here and explain why it appeared the way it did. We had good press coverage. An article appeared on the front page of the Asbury Park Press on Monday, a profile of S*T*A*R appeared in the Community section of the Wednesday Press, and a follow-up article appeared front page center the day following the eclipse, giving details about groups who were showing the eclipse to the public.

We were very fortunate in having clear weather on eclipse day. We had experienced four nor'easters that brought lots of rain on a weekly schedule, and the last one blew out to sea the day before the eclipse, leaving brilliant sunshine and a stiff cool breeze for the big day. Taffy Nartacola's shots of the crowds show the interest in events like this.

S*T*A*R set up three scopes in the Riverside Garden Park on West Front Street in Red Bank. One small refractor was used to project the sun's image onto a white screen so many observers could see the progression of the eclipse at the same time and photograph it if they desired. Taffy's photo shows the projected image.

For direct viewing Joe Cascella's 6" f5 reflector was fitted with a full aperture solar filter that was promptly put to use by a young astronomer.

Morgan Kavanaugh used Dan Pontone's 13" Dob fitted with an off-axis solar filter of a diameter that operated the scope at f/11.

Joe Levantino brought his filtered binoculars, and even though they didn't have scopes with them, Ed Collett, Joe Tietz and Glenn Matthews were invaluable for answering questions and for their explanations of the eclipse. Observers were provided with eclipse glasses having aluminized mylar filters for eye lenses. These were especially helpful for the children who came to see the eclipse. A white-board had been prepared with the Press articles and details of the circumstances of the eclipse were posted on it. Unfortunately this had to be abandoned because the stiff breeze blowing off the river blew the easel down even though it was anchored with concrete blocks on each leg, and prevented people from reading about the eclipse. People who visited said they came because they had seen the articles in the Press, others had seen posters and notices that had been distributed about town, others saw the crowd and came to see what the excitement was all about. We estimate that 150-200 people visited the site, many of whom were children brought by their parents.

Many people were interested in joining S*T*A*R, and club brochures were distributed. Taffy Notarcola read the profile article and promptly arranged to take time off from work to help at the viewing. We have used her photos of the crowd and the projected solar image. Thanks, Taffy. She will be with us at the next meeting ready to join S*T*A*R and share in the excitement of our hobby.

While we were battling the wind Joe Cascella and his family were basking in the warmth of Aruba. At the other end of the country, Dan Pontone was skiing in Vermont, and took time out to set up his scope and show his fellow skiers the 20% that Vermonters were allowed to see.