By: Maya Van Heyst
Triangle Contributor
The Wingate University Department of Chemistry and Physics is handing out eclipse glasses to view what scientists are calling the “2024 Great American Solar Eclipse” on April 8 at 1:54 p.m. in the Quad.
Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy Dr. Grant Thompson is leading the viewing, which is funded by the Department of Chemistry and Physics and the Chemistry Club, whose members will distribute free solar-eclipse glasses and safety fliers between classes at the Quad entrance of the Smith Science Building.
A solar eclipse is when the moon passes between Earth and the sun and blocks off the sunlight, covering the Earth in darkness. The eclipse’s path will run throughout North America on April 8—beginning in western Mexico, through the heart of the U.S. and ending in eastern Canada—and appear to cover the right/western side of the sun first.
Only locations directly in the path of the eclipse will experience total darkness, but locations surrounding the path will see a partial darkness and covering up of the sun.
At Wingate, the eclipse will be available to view from 1:54 p.m. until 4:26 p.m., with a maximum coverage of 79% at 3:12 p.m. Thompson is providing special eclipse glasses for students wanting to view it.
Sunglasses and camera lenses are not suitable eye protection for viewing the eclipse. Proper methods for viewing the sun include eclipse glasses, projection onto a screen, solar telescopes and welder’s glasses.
When using solar-eclipse glasses, you should not be able to see any light when looking through the glasses other than the sun.
“As a reminder, it is never safe to look at the sun without proper eye protection,” Thompson said.
For more information on the Wingate viewing, contact Dr. Thompson at g.thompson@wingate.edu. To learn more about this year’s eclipse, visit
http://www.GreatAmericanEclipse.com.
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