How this amazing eclipse photo was taken — and other lasting NJ memories

Monday's solar eclipse lasted only a few minutes, but it left lingering memories for many from New Jersey.

Among them was photographer Frank Jacobs, who finally got the chance to create an image he envisioned a decade ago.

"I wanted something different and got lucky," he said of his photo of the eclipse, taken in Trenton. "About 10 years ago, I was watching Monday Night football, and they were showing a full moon, and a jetliner went in front of the moon — and I thought someday I'll get that shot. It was today."

Two couples took advantage of the celestial rarity and got engaged as the moon crossed the path of the sun.

Surrounded by his girlfriend's family, Adam Goetz popped the question to Dana Russo on a Manasquan beach, according to News 12 New Jersey. Both Wurms and Russo said "yes."

Jersey City firefighter Kevin Davis, 27, proposed to girlfriend Michelle Wurms, 31, a middle school teacher, during a vacation stop in New Orleans at the exact time it was the darkest, according to NJ.com.

The Pisarchik family from Fanwood journeyed to Tennessee to watch the solar eclipse from the Andrew Jackson estate called the Hermitage just outside Nashville. It was in the "path of totality." meaning the sun would be completely covered.

"My husband Mark is a space nerd. He decided a year ago that this is what we were going to do. He planned the whole trip ahead of time," Sara Pisarchik said.

She said it was like just before sunset and not completely dark. "One second it was light and the next second the sun was covered...You could see a few planets."

They brought their three children, ages 7, 5 and 1, along for the trip along with Mark's cousin Julie, 30. Their 7-year-old was fully aware of what a special event they were witnessing but the 5-year-old, because of the styles of glasses, thought it was a movie.

"The 1-year-old slept through it which was perfect. He needed to nap," Sara Pisarchik said, adding that they are already planning a trip to the next solar eclipse in 2024.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com.

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