Experience a day of wonder and learning! From live broadcasts and balloon launches to guest lectures and interactive activities, there's something for everyone. Explore science demonstrations, catch captivating shows, and don't miss special displays. Come together to witness the marvels and learn more about the wonders around us.
The Nationwide Eclipse Ballooning Project (NEBP) is a unique NASA and NSF-supported field campaign fostering student STEM engagement during two solar eclipses while collecting valuable scientific data. The objectives of the project are to identify and characterize stratospheric gravity waves, characterize the rapidly evolving properties of the planetary boundary layer, and quantify the variable environmental lapse rates. Eighteen SUNY Oswego students are actively participating in the field campaign by launching specially designed weather balloons that travel from the surface to the upper limits of the stratosphere collecting extremely rare information about the atmosphere during the total solar eclipse.
Dr. Sarbani Basu is the William K. Lanman Jr. Professor of Astronomy at Yale University, USA. Basu conducts research in the fields of solar and stellar astrophysics. She has been studying both the general properties and the details of the structure and dynamics of the Sun, focusing on solar-cycle dependencies. Her interest in putting the Sun in a general astronomical context has led her to use asteroseismic data obtained by the Kepler and TESS spacecrafts to study other stars.
Dr. Martin Hendry is Professor of Gravitational Astrophysics and Cosmology at the University of Glasgow, where he is also Clerk of Senate and Vice Principal of the University. He is a senior member of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration: the global team of more than 1500 scientists who, with their colleagues in the Virgo Collaboration, made the first ever detection of gravitational waves - a discovery awarded the 2017 Nobel Prize for Physics. Martin is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics and is also a Fellow (and currently Vice-President) of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Scotland’s National Academy of the Arts and Sciences. He is a passionate advocate for science education and communication and in 2015 he was awarded an MBE by Queen Elizabeth for services to the public understanding of science.
Explore SUNY Oswego and experience the picturesque lakeside campus for an informative session and guided tour. Check-in begins in Sheldon Hall. During the program, an Admissions Counselor will provide a presentation, followed by a student-guided walking tour. Plan to spend approximately two hours on campus, though you're welcome to extend your visit, and for the opportunity to make this day extra special by witnessing the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse.
Join Penfield Library for our festivities celebrating the total eclipse! Activities will include pinhole viewer making, assorted crafts, a book display and an eclipse-themed photo station. Eclipse activities will be held in front of Penfield Library, weather permitting, or on the first floor.
Dr. Earl Bellinger is currently an Assistant Professor of Astronomy at Yale University. He completed his undergraduate studies at SUNY Oswego in 2012, where he double-majored in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics. Following his time at Oswego, he did internships at NASA and NIST before obtaining his Master's degree in Computer Science at Indiana University and his Ph.D. at the University of Göttingen in Germany. He was then a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Stellar Astrophysics Centre in Denmark, and subsequently a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics in Germany. His research focuses on stellar evolution and pulsations, and how measurements of pulsating stars can lend precision constraints to various fields throughout astrophysics.
Oswego’s Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, and Electrical and Computer Engineering departments will provide a variety of outreach programs and demonstrations for visitors of all ages.
Explore thermochromic materials with the Chemistry Department. Learn how leuco dyes are used to make materials change color as they get hotter or colder. Hands-on will activities include:
Color-changing origami with thermochromic paper
Disappearing ink with thermochromic pens
Color-changing toys including lab putty, Hot Wheels, and mood rings
ECE will demonstrate several student projects in the Robotics Lab. Projects will illustrate practical applications of engineering in several areas including, robotics, microcontroller applications and autonomous systems.
Dr. Anil Pradhan is a Professor in the Department of Astronomy, Chemical Physics Program, Interdisciplinary Biophysics Graduate Program at Ohio State University. He is the Director and Co-Founder of Indo-US Center for STEM Education and Research. Dr. Pradhan is a Fulbright-Nehru Distinguished Teaching and Research Scholar.
Dr. Blanchfield has a Ph.D. in late medieval Italian history. Dr. Blanchfield’s research focuses on the history of religious rituals in medieval Italy and gender and emotions in the medieval world. She has been teaching history at SUNY Oswego since 2010 and is also the SUNY Oswego Fulbright Program Advisor for the US Fulbright Program.
Step into our newly upgraded planetarium and embark on an out-of-this-world journey! Join us for captivating presentations showcasing the wonders of the eclipse. Our knowledgeable presenters will guide you through an unforgettable educational experience that's as entertaining as it is enlightening. Bring your family and friends to explore the mysteries of the cosmos right here in our community at SUNY Oswego!
In-person attendance for all Planetarium shows are sold out. Use the Zoom link below to join virtually.
SUNY Oswego students, faculty and staff are invited to take in the astrophysical phenomenon while enjoying make-and-take crafts, yard games, a live DJ and free T-shirts while supplies last. The Division of Student Affairs sponsors this event.
Oswego is giving away free eclipse glasses to students, faculty, and staff, one pair each, starting Monday, March 18th.
Eclipse Facts & Stats
Experiencing a solar eclipse is an unique event. It unfolds in stages, with totality revealing the Sun's atmosphere.
A Note on Safety and Photography
When observing a solar eclipse, it's crucial to safeguard your eyes with ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses or a specialized solar filter, as regular sunglasses offer inadequate protection and could lead to severe eye damage or blindness. Additionally, shield your skin from extended sun exposure by applying sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and donning a hat. When photographing the eclipse, ensure eye safety by using a camera equipped with a designated solar filter, capturing the Sun's corona only during totality.
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Total Solar Eclipse
Learn about what is taking place at SUNY Oswego during the event.
