Solar eclipse at Delaware State University brings out students and professors

During the eclipse April 8 at Delaware State University in Dover, clusters of students and professors gathered outside classroom buildings to look at the solar show through special glasses.

The historical moment was the reason most students gave for why they came out to see the phenomenon, the first one visible, at least partly, in the continental United States in seven years.

“I remember in 2017 and I was hoping to see a similar blackout,” said student Saniyah Christopher. “The next one’s not for another 20 years and by then I hope to be telling my kids, ‘I was in college the last time this happened.’”

Professor Lori Crawford said she ended class early and handed out eclipse glasses to students.

"I've always been fascinated with celestial happenings and astronomy," Crawford said.

Skies grew slightly darker at about 3 p.m., but that coincided with the heaviest cloud cover of the afternoon. As the time grew closer to when Delaware was supposed to be under maximum eclipse coverage, about 3:23 p.m., sunlight actually got brighter and brighter as the clouds moved by.

Still, most students viewing the eclipse were interested in the opportunity.

“I’m watching it because I’ve never actually seen one in person before," Christina Joseph said.

At about 2:30 p.m., neuroscience researcher Murali Temburni said, “It looks like someone bit off part of a pancake," and student Taylor Davis described the eclipse as “someone starting to twist an Oreo cookie apart.”

At about 3 p.m., student Deyvon Ross said he could see a crescent of sunlight behind the moon.

Student Jaden West said he’s happy to have another chance to see the light show: “The last time, in 2017, I only saw it for a brief second. This year, I’m seeing the whole effect.”

Reach reporter Ben Mace at rmace@gannett.com.