Eclipse watchers in R.I. soaked up the sun (and the moon) across the state – The Boston Globe

Rhode Island residents gathered for watch parties across the state, including at Brown, Roger Williams National Memorial, Tiverton Public Library, and at the University of Rhode Island. Many held impromptu eclipse parties, gathering near the Providence’s pedestrian bridge and surrounding park, which drew an informal crowd of more than 100 people. Sunny skies and warm temperatures called for what felt like a 3 p.m. statewide exodus outside.

In Rhode Island, the partial eclipse began around 2:15 p.m., and the eclipse reached 91 percent coverage at around 3:29 p.m, when temperatures dropped and the light resembled that of the golden hour. Seagulls squawked agitatedly overhead, swooping over Providence’s pedestrian bridge.

“It’s very exciting,” said Robyn Smith, who watched from downtown Providence with her twin daughters.

“It’s my first eclipse,” said Alailah Smith.

“It’s really amazing,” added Alanah Smith.

At Brown University, spectators could try using sunspotters and telescopes that were peppered throughout the Main Green. Brown’s physics department hosted the event in collaboration with the NASA Rhode Island Space Grant Consortium and LunaSCOPE, and student volunteers were on hand to answer questions.

Providence residents Bill and Linna Kite decided to walk down the hill to Roger Williams National Memorial to watch the eclipse, where the National Park Service held an event with free glasses, music, and activities for kids.

“We thought we’d drive down the hill and enjoy the eclipse with other people,” Linna Kite said as she soaked in the afternoon sun.

Chip Martin and her fiance Dwayna Inniss were in town from Virginia Beach, and stumbled onto the watch party at the Roger Williams National Memorial on their way to the airport.

“Everything lined up perfectly,” Martin said. “We wanted to find glasses anyways.”

Sparkle Bryant, a National Park Service ranger, reflected on the partial eclipse many got to see in 2017, and how the weather wasn’t as ideal then as it was Monday.

“I remember it was a really cloudy day,” Bryant said of the 2017 eclipse.

Brown University student Lila David also remembered the partial eclipse from seven years ago.

“The fact that we get two in a short period of time is very special,” David said.

Bill Samos and his colleagues experienced a different kind of eclipse day: 200 feet under the city of Pawtucket, in a tunnel they’re building to improve the area’s sewage system.

“A bunch of disappointed guys down here,” Samos said in a telephone interview a little after 2:30, just as the moon was starting to partially obscure the sun.

Samos is a tunnel inspector for contractor Pare Corp. on the Narragansett Bay Commission’s massive combined sewer overflow project. The job involves taking an elevator down and then taking a train-like shuttle for about 40 minutes to get to the worksite. The eclipse that none of the 18 or so tunnel workers would see was the topic of conversation the whole ride in, Samos said.

“It’s just something that happens very rarely,” said Samos, a North Providence resident. “Some generations go without ever seeing it.”

The next chance to see a full eclipse in Rhode Island will be in 2079.

“If nature’s going to provide us a show, we’re here for it,” said Kevin Klyberg, who watched from Roger Williams National Memorial.

Brian Amaral and Steph Machado contributed to this report.

Brittany Bowker can be reached at brittany.bowker@globe.com. Follow her @brittbowker and also on Instagram @brittbowker.