Purdue groups host safe solar eclipse viewing parties on Monday

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University entities are pooling their efforts Monday (Aug. 21) for two afternoon viewing parties on campus to observe the solar eclipse.

The College of Education and the Center for Advancing the Teaching and Learning of STEM (CATALYST) are hosting an event from 1-4 p.m. Monday near the Loeb Fountain outside Beering Hall, 100 N. University St.

The Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences is working with the Purdue Astronomy Club to also host an event beginning at noon Monday at the south end of Purdue Memorial Mall along State Street.

Solar eclipse glasses and viewers will be distributed to students before and during each viewing event, and solar-filtered telescopes will be available to view the eclipse.

“There is no safe way in West Lafayette to view the partial solar eclipse without special safety glasses or filters,” said Jim Schweitzer, director of radiological and environmental management.

While the greater Lafayette area isn’t in the path of totality, Purdue’s campus will see around 90 percent coverage at 2:22 p.m., according to the Purdue Astronomy Club. The eclipse will run from 12:56-3:46 p.m.

EAPS and College of Education faculty and staff will be on-hand at each viewing party to offer information about the solar eclipse.

David Sederberg, physics and astronomy outreach coordinator, will share eclipse facts and demonstrate how to see the eclipse with a telescope throughout the College of Education viewing event.

In addition, Sanjay Rebello, professor of science education and physics and astronomy, will provide a brief talk at 2:45 p.m. about eclipses and why we see them.

“With the eclipse occurring on the first day of classes it may catch Purdue students unprepared,” said Maryann Santos, dean of the College of Education. “As educators, we understand people are going to be curious about a phenomenon that most people under the age of 40 have never experienced. We’re hosting a viewing party so students, faculty and staff can learn about the eclipse and observe it safely.”

Free solar eclipse T-shirts will be handed out while supplies last to those answering trivia questions at the College of Education event. Attendees can learn about solar eclipses through informational posters and demonstrations.

While partial solar eclipses regularly occur in parts of the United States, the last time a total solar eclipse was visible across the United States was in 1918.

State Street Redevelopment Project construction is in progress on the Purdue University West Lafayette campus. A portion of State Street remains closed and the work has significantly affected surrounding thoroughfares in West Lafayette.

Writer: Brian L. Huchel, 765-494-2084, bhuchel@purdue.edu 

Source: Tonya Agnew, 765-494-0568, tragnew@purdue.edu