Watch the April 8 solar eclipse on the Drillfield

On Monday, April 8, the College of Science along with the Department of Physics will host a solar eclipse watch party on the Drillfield.

The moon will fully eclipse the sun in portions of the United States, and in the Blacksburg area the moon will cover 88 percent of the sun at approximately 3:15 p.m. The moon will not fully eclipse the sun in the United States for another 20 years.

Students, faculty, and staff are invited to the viewing event on the Drillfield and are encouraged to show up beginning at 2:45 p.m. and be in a good viewing position as the eclipse reaches its peak.

“Seeing the solar disk concealed more and more by the moon is a spectacular sight,” said Nahum Arav, professor of physics who researches astronomical sciences. “At mid-eclipse, not only will just a sliver of the sun stay uncovered, but the light from the sun will visibly become dimmer.”

During the event, eclipse viewing glasses will be available free of charge, and there will be 10 viewing stations with solar telescopes that offer an even better view in a safe manner. Experts from the physics department will be on hand to provide detailed explanations for those interested in hearing the scientific details of this rare celestial happening.

“It’s important to remember,” said Arav, “while it may be tempting to take a look at the sun without safety glasses, even at mid-eclipse viewing the sun with unprotected eyes at any time can damage a person’s vision. Please join us so you can get a good look without lasting damage.”

In addition to free viewing glasses, a select number of T-shirts designed for the event will be raffled off, and the college will be giving out Moon Pies and Starry sodas.

The event is weather-dependent: If clouds cover more than two-thirds of the sky that afternoon, it will be postponed — until 2044.