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Vice-president Mike Pence enjoyed Monday's solar eclipse from atop the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, alongside students from the Cornerstone Christian School, who joined him for the 'Great American Eclipse' viewing event. (Aug. 21) AP

Vice President Mike Pence, watches the solar eclipse, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, at the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington.(Photo: Manuel Balce Ceneta, AP)

WASHINGTON During the nation's last solar eclipse in 1979, Vice President Pence figureshe was probably standing in his back yard in Columbus, Ind., using a piece of cardboard with a pinhole to view the sun.

Thats the way we did it back then, he told students from the Cornerstone Christian Schools invited Monday to watch the eclipse with him. I didnt have these really cool glasses.

Pence also had a better viewing platform this time, the grounds of the U.S. Naval Observatory, one of the nations oldest academic and scientific institutions as well as the location of the vice presidents home.

Its the perfect spot for the lifelong NASA fan, who said he caught space fever as a young boy. As vice president, Pence is heading the National Space Council recently re-established by President Trump.

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After former astronaut Pam Melroy introduced Pence to the students as a true space enthusiast, he encouraged her to stay by his side.

I like to be seen with astronauts, he said.

The students were gathered in the Naval Observatorys circular library where the portraitsof astronomers such as Asaph Hall who discovered the moons of Mars looked down on them.

Brad Bailey, associate director for science at NASA, explained that eclipses have led to hundreds of scientific discoveries, including helium and proving that Albert Einstein was correct that mass warps space time.

But in ancient times, Bailey said, people thought eclipses were caused by sky jaguars chasing the sun and slowly devouring it. The only way to stop them was for everyone to scream.

So maybe well have to go out and yell at the sky a little bit later, he said.

But first, Pence led the students into the observatorys circular telescope room. A filter had been placed on the end of the more than 130-year-old telescope to make viewing the sun safe for the eyes.

Thats amazing, Pence said of the partial eclipse as he peered in the lens.

He helped a student get in position for a peek.

Youve got to shut one eye, he explained.

In Washington, the moon would cover only 81.12 percent "give-or-take" of the sun, Bailey explained.

As it reached that point, Pence led the students onto the balcony, reminding them not to look at the sun without their glasses.

Youve got to have the shades on, he said, asking one of them: Is this a good look for me or not?

One student asked Bailey what would happen if he looked at the sun without glasses.

I wouldnt recommend it, Bailey said.

The students alternated between gazingat the eclipse, posing for photos with Pence, and being asked if they wanted to become astronomers or astronauts. Melroy had already told them they are exactly the right age to be the first person to set foot on Mars, if thats what you want to do.

What Jordan Battle, 16, wanted to do was yell at the sky jaguars to get the sun to come back.

Count down: 3 2 1! Bailey said, prompting a group yell.

Its working! Battle said.

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Vice President Mike Pence shares space enthusiasm with students at eclipse viewing party - USA TODAY