
Photo: Jay Johnson
UMass experiences the Great North American Eclipse
Photo: Jay Johnson
On Monday, April 8, 2024, people at UMass Amherst enjoyed a rare celestial treat: a solar eclipse. While Amherst was not in the path of totality, viewers were able to see 94 percent coverage, and the excitement was certainly palpable.
Metawampe Lawn was filled with students, staffers, and members of the public, all gathered to grab a free pair of eclipse glasses and experience an amazing astronomical event together. The mood was positive, with smiling groups of people watching the event, taking pictures, and enjoying the first warm spring day after two weeks of frosty, gray New England weather.
Dean Michael Fox of the College of Natural Sciences (CNS) estimated that there were more than 1,000 people on the lawn as the eclipse neared its peak. CNS staffers and members of the Astronomy Club handed out thousands of pairs of eclipse glasses, and a playlist of sun- and moon-themed songs played for the crowd at the “Star Party.” Hundreds of people also joined in the fun at a second location: the UMass Sunwheel. At both locations, astronomers were on hand to advise the crowd about the progress of the event and relay some of the scientific principles involved.
In the days leading up to the eclipse, Dean Fox advised UMass social media followers on how to view it safely, and Daniela Calzetti, chair of the astronomy department, answered questions people had sent in over Instagram. CNS also donated more than 30,000 pairs of eclipse glasses to local public schools and senior centers in Amherst and a dozen surrounding towns so that area residents could view the rare event safely.
As the eclipse progressed, the air cooled, and shadows lengthened on the lawn—a strange look for mid-afternoon. The crowd burst into waves of spontaneous cheering several times near the peak of the eclipse at about 3:28 p.m. Outside of commencement, it felt like the largest gathering on campus since before the pandemic. Everywhere you turned, people were looking up.
See how the community turned out for this special event.
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