A solar eclipse happens when the Moon’s shadow hits Earth. This can only happen if it’s New Moon and the Moon is crossing the plane of the Earth’s orbit around the Sun. Solar eclipses happen about twice a year somewhere on Earth, but at any particular location they are quite rare. The last total solar eclipse to touch North Carolina was in 2017, and the next will be in 2078! The 14 October 2023 and 8 April 2024 eclipses will be partial, with the Moon covering part of the Sun’s surface from our perspective. Still an awesome sight to see!
AN IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT SAFETY: Do not look directly at the Sun when any part of its surface is visible! This will damage your eyes, and normal sunglasses are not adequate protection. To protect your eyes, use certified safe eclipse filters (“eclipse shades”.)
The HPU Department of Physics & Astronomy is hosting an eclipse-viewing event from 11:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. on October 14th. We will have safe eclipse shades for you to use, as well as telescopes equipped with the proper filters for you to have a close-up view.
This event will take place on the grass circle in front of the Wanek School of Natural Sciences on the HPU campus. The public is invited, and the event is free.
The Culp Planetarium, located in the Wanek School of Natural Sciences, will be showing the full-dome movie The Birth of Planet Earth during the event. Shows are free, and show times will be 12:15, 1:00, 1:45 and 2:30pm.
IN THE EVENT OF CLOUDY OR RAINY WEATHER: The Culp Planetarium will still be showing The Birth of Planet Earth at the times listed above.
