UofM Hosting (Partial) Eclipse Gathering April 8

Eclipse Glasses Plus Telescope Viewing Opportunity on the Student Plaza

April 8, 2024 — The UofM Central Campus will host an eclipse gathering Monday, April 8, from 12-3:30 p.m., with free eclipse glasses while supplies last and a special solar observation opportunity through a telescope provided by the UofM Department of Physics and Materials Science.

The total solar eclipse will come as close to the University of Memphis as Jonesboro, Ark., and will be the last total solar eclipse to be viewable across the United States until 2045.

Memphis will be outside of the path of totality, but the Moon will block out a large portion of the Sun shortly before 1 p.m. until around 3:30 p.m. in Memphis. Memphis will experience a 97.6% partial eclipse that begins at 12:37 p.m. and ends at 3:15 p.m. At 1:57 p.m., 97.6% of the Sun will be covered by the Moon from our vantage point.

Dr. Benjamin Keller, an astrophysicist in the UofM Department of Physics and Materials Science, will have a telescope set up on the Student Plaza between the UC and the fountain.

• Look through the telescope with a solar filter
• Watch through the free eclipse glasses
• Make a pinhole camera and watch an image of the eclipse on your hand
• Watch the many images of the eclipse that fall all over a sidewalk near leafy trees.

There are more opportunities to explore the universe beyond Earth, including the Lois McGlothlin Donaldson Endowed Lecture in Physics taking place Friday, April 19.

John Durning, former James Webb Deputy Project Manager at the Goddard Space Flight Center will deliver the lecture entitled "The Making of the James Webb Space Telescope and Early Scientific Results." A reception begins at 6 p.m. with his lecture following at 6:30 p.m. in the Maxine A. Smith University Center Theatre.

On Saturday, April 20, Dr. Keller will give a Planetarium Presentation at the UofM Lambuth Campus in Jackson entitled “Life in the Universe: Setting the Stage.” His presentation will combine fascinating information with the stunning visual experience afforded by the planetarium dome. Space is limited for this free event at the M. D. Anderson Planetarium, located at 299 Maple Street.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Jennifer Godwin
Director of Media and Public Relations
jennifer.godwin@memphis.edu
(O) 901.678.4822 (M) 501.529.7482