Eclipse Within Our Gates

Countdown to the Eclipse

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On Monday, April 8, 2024, at 3:16 p.m. Erie, Pennsylvania will experience the rare phenomena of being in the path of totality of a total solar eclipse. Mercyhurst is opening our gates to the community with lectures and activities, plus an opportunity to view the eclipse from our campus. Activities include educational talks, glasses and glow-ware giveaways, and a special viewing event at Saxon Stadium with music, food, and fun! 

Mercyhurst University has been designated by NASA as a "Sunspot Viewing Site" and will be hosting a variety of events on the day of and leading up to the eclipse. We outline those events and provide resources for learning about the eclipse here. Erie won't be in the path of totality for another solar eclipse until the year 2144, making this a once in a lifetime experience!

Eclipse Week Events
    Date Event/Presenter Description/Time/Location
    Friday, April 5, 2024 Eclipse Happy Hour
    Mercyhurst Dining Services

    4 p.m., Student Union: Roost

    Mix and mingle with fellow eclipse enthusiasts as you share your excitement and predictions for the upcoming phenomenon. Whether you are a seasoned stargazer or a newcomer to the wonders of the universe, all are welcome to join in the festivities.

    Admittance is FREE, and drinks are available for purchase.

    Friday, April 5, 2024 Celestial Omens: Eclipses in Eastern Astrological Traditions
    Dr. Meng Wang

    6 p.m., Walker Recital Hall (Audrey Hirt Academic Building)

    In the Eastern esoteric tradition, the solar eclipse was always categorized as a catastrophic and monumental celestial event. Confucian scholars, such as Dong Zhongshu, interpreted the celestial events within the framework of Confucianism and stated that there was a mystical interaction between heaven and human society under the rulership of a monarch.

    Saturday, April 6, 2024 Unveiling the Cosmos: The Science Behind the Eclipse
    Dr. Clint Jones, Dr. Joe Johnson, Dr. Nick Lang, Dr. Brad Treece

    4 p.m., Performing Arts Center

    Learn about the science behind the solar eclipse. We will discuss why this event is so rare here in Erie and how Einstein’s theory of general relativity was proven by a solar eclipse in 1919, as well as detail the perfect alignment of the Earth, moon, and sun.

    Sunday, April 7, 2024 Eclipse Theme Party
    Mercyhurst Dining Services

    5 p.m., Student Union: Roost

    Join us as we gear up for the celestial spectacle of the century at Mercyhurst University's Eclipse Happy Hour Pre-Party! Indulge in our special promotions as you immerse yourself in eclipse-themed cocktails and delectable treats. Get ready to elevate your spirits and anticipation for the upcoming cosmic event.

    Admittance is FREE, and drinks are available for purchase.

    Sunday, April 7, 2024 Verses of Light: A Poetic Salute to the Sun and Moon
    Dr. Alice Edwards, Dr. Brian Reed, Dr. Christy Rieger

     

    6 p.m., Luke's Landing, Lower Level of the Student Union

     

    Sunday, April 7, 2024 Red Stars and Cosmic Dreams: Early Soviet Propaganda and the Space Imaginary
    Dr. Katie Duda

    7:30 p.m., Walker Recital Hall (Audrey Hirt Academic Building)

    Space provided the setting that allowed the Bolsheviks and early Soviets to theorize the necessary conditions to deliver on the promise of a new society. Space combined two major components for early Soviet mythology: the new Soviet man and the conquest of nature. Consequently, space imagination "took off" in the first quarter of the 20th century with books, images, amateur societies, and movies, which, in no small part, would shape the Soviet space program.

    Monday, April 8, 2024 Musical Explorations of the Messier Catalogue of Star Clusters and Nebulae
    D'Angelo Department of Music

    9 a.m., Walker Recital Hall (Audrey Hirt Academic Building)

    New York composer Bruce Lazarus will talk about uniting music and astronomy as a mixture of observation, musical intuition, and compositional craft. Moderated by Mercyhurst faculty member Dr. Albert Glinsky from the D’Angelo Department of Music, this informal conversation will focus on Lazarus’ major piano cycle, "Musical Explorations of Messier Star Clusters and Nebulae," a set of musical interpretations of celestial objects first described by 17th century French astronomer Charles Messier and familiar to us today as the Andromeda Galaxy, the Pleiades, the Orion Nebula, and the iconic “Pillars of Creation.” Hubble and JWST images of Messier Objects reveal vistas of extraordinary beauty and also great variation in energy patterning – spiraling, floating, exploding, diffusing – which strongly suggest musical variations in rhythm, texture, formal design, and melodic elements. In honor of the total solar eclipse later the same day, Lazarus will also discuss his "Regarding Eclipses," composed in 2010 for the young people of North Cambridge Family Opera Chorus.

    Monday, April 8, 2024 Indigenous Science, Ancient Astronomers, & Eclipse Prediction in the Distant Past
    Dr. Will Meyer

    10 a.m., Walker Recital Hall (Audrey Hirt Academic Building)

    We sometimes presume that ancient or traditional peoples have ways of interacting with the natural world that differ from those common in Western societies. Indigenous practices and knowledge may be seen as inferior to Western scientific knowledge and practice, but a growing body of literature and public media have demonstrated the sophistication of "Indigenous science," traditions of which stretch into the distant past. In this talk, Dr. Meyer will discuss some material evidence for Indigenous astronomy, the use of which would have allowed the accurate prediction of solar and lunar eclipses. 

    Monday, April 8, 2024 Eclipse of the Mind, Spirit, and Cosmos: A Convergence of Psychology, Religion, and Philosophy
    Dr. Gerry Tobin, Dr. Jim Snyder, Dr. Rich McCarty

    11 a.m., Walker Recital Hall (Audrey Hirt Academic Building)

     

    Monday, April 8, 2024 Eclipse Within Our Gates
    Mercyhurst University

    1 p.m., Mercyhurst University Athletic Fields

    Experience the marvel of the 2024 solar eclipse at Mercyhurst University! Join us on April 8 at 1 p.m. for "Eclipse Within Our Gates"—a unique viewing event. Do not miss this blend of celestial wonder and community spirit.

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Eclipse Glasses Safety Checklist

Make sure your eclipse glasses provide adequate eye protection! Here's what to look for:

  • Check eclipse glasses for the ISO logo.
  • Make sure glasses meet the 12312-2 safety standard. It should be printed on the paper glasses or be listed on a seller’s website.
  • Check that the vendor selling the glasses is approved by the American Astronomical Society (AAS). The AAS has a list of suppliers online that are verified to meet all safety requirements.
  • Another way to tell if eclipse glasses are legitimate is by their darkness. They should be much darker than your sunglasses and block out all regular light. About the only things you should be able to see with the glasses on is the sun or a bare lightbulb.
Frequently Asked Questions

    Yes, Mercyhurst University is open to the public for viewing. 

    All events are FREE and open to the public.

    No, you do not need to register in advance for any of the programming on campus.

    Only those who have Mercyhurst parking passes or state-issued persons with disabilities parking placards/license plates are permitted to park on campus. Anyone is permitted to use the on-street parking in the neighboring areas

    VisitErie will distribute "The Ultimate Sunblock" eclipse glasses on a first-come, first-serve basis from April 5 - April 8 at three locations: I-90 Pennsylvania Welcome Center (at the PA/NY border), the I-79 Rest Stop (near Edinboro, northbound), and the Erie Visitor Center at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center. 

    Country Fair locations throughout northwestern Pennsylvania will distribute eclipse glasses in the weeks leading up to the Total Solar Eclipse.

    Mercyhurst will have limited viewing glasses available. Please see the list of establishments providing free glasses.
     

    The Totality of the Eclipse will begin at 3:16 p.m. However, a Partial Eclipse will begin at 2:02 p.m. Please plan to arrive no later than 1:45 p.m. to secure your premier viewing spot at Mercyhurst.

    All times listed are Eastern Daylight Time. Source: NationalEclipse.com and Fred Espenak NASA GSFC (eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov). For a detailed interactive map of what the eclipse will look like from various points in northwestern PA, click here
     

    Yes, all lectures are open to the public. 

    No, it is not safe to look at the eclipse without viewing glasses. The sun emits powerful ultraviolet (UV), visible, and infrared (IR) radiation. During an eclipse, these rays can cause harm to your eyes, potentially leading to solar retinopathy – a type of eye damage.

    Guests will be able to view the eclipse on the Mercyhurst Athletic Fields, just south of our Old Main building.

    We are working on making this available! Come back soon!

    Yes, Mercyhurst will have apparel available online and in the Mercyhurst Bookstore (4110 Briggs Ave, Erie, PA 16546).

    To ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience during the eclipse viewing event at Mercyhurst University, visitors are encouraged to bring the following items:

    • Eclipse Viewing Glasses: Most crucial for safely viewing the eclipse. Make sure they are ISO 12312-2 compliant. We will have a limited number of glasses on the day.
    • Weather-Appropriate Clothing: Check the forecast and dress accordingly. Layers are a good idea as the temperature may change.
    • Towel or Blanket: Bleacher seating will be available, along with an area on the turf field. You are encouraged to bring a blanket or towel to sit on either on the field or in the bleacher area.       

    If there is inclement weather, the University will make announcements on the University website.

    Food and drinks are NOT permitted on our athletic fields during the Sunspot viewing. Please dispose of any/all food and drinks before entering our fields.

    Food and drinks will be available for purchase from our concession area(s).
     

    Please do not bring pets to campus for the eclipse, as animals are not permitted on the football field turf.

    Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations or information on accessibility should contact Susan Reddinger, ADA Coordinator, at ada@mercyhurst.edu or 814-824-2362.

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