On April 8, the moon will sweep across the sun, casting a shadow over the Earth and etching a ring of fire in the sky. This total solar eclipse is a must-see, as it marks the final opportunity for many to witness this cosmic phenomenon on such a grand scale until 2045. Cornell students can travel right to the heart of the eclipse’s path, thanks to the student-led Astronomical Society at Cornell, but they should sign up now.
The society has chartered three buses to travel to Rochester, an optimal vantage point for observing the event. At precisely 3:20 PM, the city will be enveloped in darkness for 3 minutes and 38 seconds – 1 minute longer than the 2017 eclipse.
The free trip will allow more than 400 undergraduates to view the eclipse in totality, an opportunity available in only 13 states from Texas to Maine.
Departing from campus at 8 a.m., the fleet of buses will embark on a journey to the Rochester Eclipse Festival. Interested students should read and complete this sign-up link as soon as possible because spots are filling up quickly.
This trip is only for students without cars. If you or a friend own a vehicle, please consider carpooling to save space on our buses for everyone who wishes to participate.
If you head to a zone of totality, certified glasses are vital and will be provided to students on the buses. In areas like Rochester, securing your eclipse glasses right before totality starts and again before it ends is crucial.
And if you view the eclipse outside of totality, never look at the sun directly or through sunglasses, student organizers said. To avoid damage, use eclipse glasses certified by the American Astronomical Society.
Hannah Mitchell is a communications assistant for the College of Arts and Sciences.
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