Silhouette of Penn State Shenango student Gianna Effinite during totality of the solar eclipse. As a result of the near-complete darkness, the campus light posts and the Nittany Lion Shrine turned on.
Jim Gavio, director of the Yahn Planetarium at Penn State Behrend, used Braille star maps and AM-radio frequencies to engage low-vision visitors in the April 8 total solar eclipse.
Approximately 1,500 people attended Penn State Wilkes-Barre's solar eclipse event on April 8. The campus showcased a number of eclipse-related activities, including tours of the Friedman Observatory; a solar eclipse-themed art exhibit at the Friedman Art Gallery; craft stations; NASA's livestream of the eclipse; and a children's story time featuring "The Sky Is the Limit," a special children's book produced by the campus and illustrated by a Penn State student.
The Eberly College of Science hosted its SolarFest event at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park at the University Park campus on April 8. In addition to interactive science-themed displays for attendees, the event included the members of the Penn State Students for the Exploration and Development of Space leading multiple rocket launches.
A spectator gazes at the eclipse during a watch event at the Medlar Field at Lubrano Park at University Park campus on April 8. The SolarFest event, hosted by the Eberly College of Science, drew a record crowd of 8,411. The University Park campus was in the path of 95% totality for the solar eclipse.
Thousands of visitors crowded into the soccer/lacrosse complex at Penn State Behrend, in Erie, to view the eclipse in totality. Cheers rippled across the field as the sun’s corona became visible.