Lectures, parties and telescopes: Eclipse-themed activities set for Erie-area universities

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story included a talk at Penn State Behrend on April 8. That event has been removed from this list because it is not public.

David Horne is no stranger to eclipses.

The physicist, astronomer and educator at Gannon University has spent nearly 35 years observing the sky and witnessing eclipses across the country and in Europe, including a total solar eclipse in Romania.

But even so, the opportunity to witness another eclipse ― indeed, a total solar eclipse in Erie on April 8 ― is, to him, no less exhilarating.

“If you’re living in Erie, the year 2144 is your next shot,” Horne said with a laugh. “So, unless you’re really patient and really long-lived, I don’t think you want to miss this.”

Horne, who’s overseeing Gannon’s research and activities for the eclipse, said the school will have a public viewing area near the Gannon arch, located by the Waldron Campus Center near the intersection of 7th and Peach streets.

The viewing area will have telescopes with filters, eclipse glasses, safety instruction and even specially designed “eclipse windows” that were conceptualized by Horne and designed and developed by Gannon engineering students.

Horne said the windows, which look like a canopy of sorts, function as a solar filter system and are designed to allow a group of people to stand underneath and witness the eclipse without the need for glasses.

The windows were designed and developed by Gannon engineering students Claire Rogillio, John Brady, Lili Lander and Nate Schneider.

Horne said the windows will also be set up at Perry Square and the Erie Children Museum, adding that the invention is “perfect for kids.”

“It’s a very big deal,” Horne said of the eclipse.

“It’s one of those things where people might say, ‘Well, I’ve seen 90% (totality) before and this will just be a little bit more.’ Well, it’s a lot more than that,” he said. “There’s a big difference between 90% and 100% (totality) when you’re talking about eclipses.”

Gannon is not the only university gearing up for the eclipse. Here’s what other local universities have planned.

Penn State Behrend

March 20

Darren Williams, a professor of astronomy and astrophysics at Penn State Behrend, will give a public talk at the Hirt Auditorium in Blasco Library on March 20 at 6 p.m. Jim Gavio, the director of the Yahn Planetarium at Behrend, will also join this talk.

Every Saturday

The Yahn Planetarium is also featuring an eclipse-themed show, “Totality!”, on Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. All adults who purchase a ticket for one of the shows will receive a free pair of eclipse glasses, while supplies last.

The planetarium show will also be shown on the following dates:

• March 7, 6:30 p.m.

• March 15, 6:30 p.m.

• March 22, 6:30 p.m.

• March 26, 6:30 p.m.

• April 6, 1 p.m.

Mercyhurst University

The following activities are free and open to the public.

April 5

Mercyhurst Dining Services will present “Eclipse Happy Hour” at 4 p.m. at The Roost/Student Union. Mingle with eclipse enthusiasts as you share your excitement for the upcoming phenomenon. (Free admittance. Refreshments available for purchase).

Also, Asian Studies professor Meng Wang will give a lecture entitled “Celestial Omens: Eclipses in Eastern Astrological Traditions” at 6 p.m. at Walker Recital Hall.

April 6

A discussion entitled “Unveiling the Cosmos: The Science behind the Eclipse” will take place at 4 p.m. at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center. The discussion, which will feature Mercyhurst professors Clint Jones, Joe Johnson, Nick Lang and Brad Treece, will focus on the science behind the eclipse. It will also focus on why this event is so rare 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.

April 7

Mercyhurst Dining Services will present an “Eclipse-Themed Party” at 5 p.m. at The Roost/Student Union. Immerse yourself in eclipse-themed cocktails and delectable treats. (Free admittance. Refreshments available for purchase).

Also check out “Verses of Light: A Poetic Salute to the Sun and Moon” at 6 p.m. at Luke’s Landing/Student Union lower level. The program will feature themed poetry readings by Mercyhurst professors Alice Edwards, Brian Reed, and Christy Rieger.

Also check out a lecture entitled “Red Stars and Cosmic Dreams: Early Soviet Propaganda and the Space Imaginary” at 7:30 p.m. at Walker Recital Hall. The lecture is by Russian Studies professor Katie Duda.

April 8

Mercyhurst professor Will Meyer will give a talk entitled “Indigenous Science, Ancient Astronomers, and Eclipse Prediction in the Distant Past” at 10 a.m. at Walker Recital Hall. In his talk, Meyer will discuss material evidence of indigenous astronomy, the use of which would have allowed for the accurate prediction of solar and lunar eclipses.

Also check out a discussion entitled “Eclipse of the Mind, Spirit, and Cosmos: A Convergence of Psychology, Religion, and Philosophy” at 11 a.m. at Walker Recital Hall. The discussion will feature Mercyhurst professors Gerry Tobin, Jim Snyder and Rich McCarty.

Mercyhurst athletic fields will be open for public viewing of the eclipse starting at 1 p.m. on April 8.

PennWest Edinboro University

April 8

Guests are welcome to bring blankets or lawn chairs to enjoy the eclipse around Mallory Lake, in the heart of Edinboro’s campus. Free PennWest Edinboro-branded eclipse safety glasses will be available at the event, while supplies last.

The festivities will include local food trucks, children’s activities, eclipse-related merchandise and more. Edinboro student clubs and organizations will be selling popcorn from Erie-based Popluck and glowsticks as a fundraiser.

Edinboro’s bookstore will also be selling student-designed T-shirts commemorating the event. Indoor dining options will be open in the Frank G. Pogue Student Center and Van Houten Dining Hall during normal hours of operation and public restrooms will be available.

David Hurd, director of PennWest Edinboro’s planetarium, will lead the educational events on campus. Hurd has dedicated the last 20 years to producing and implementing tactile astronomy materials for visually-impaired individuals and has worked with NASA to create the official braille guides to experiencing the eclipse. Guides will be available to view at the Edinboro watch party.

A.J. Rao can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X @ETNRao.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie-area universities to host public viewings, programs for eclipse