, Columnist
Learning From the First Eclipse Media Event
In the 18th century, British astronomers set out to sell science by demystifying it.
Eighteenth-century eclipse culture.
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It was a bright, clear day across much of the country when the moon passed in front of the sun. People gathered on rooftops, city squares and country fields to witness the astronomical phenomenon that had been heralded for months in the media.
Yes, that describes Monday in the U.S. reasonably well. But I was thinking of May 3, 1715, in southern England.1503326067703