As the moon passes between the Earth and the sun on April 8, the sky over the UTSA Main Campus will darken as though it were dawn or dusk. Fortunately, the campus will be the ideal vantage point to observe the total solar eclipse in its entirety, as it’s located within the path of totality — where the moon’s shadow completely covers the sun.
UTSA students, faculty and staff are invited to witness the total solar eclipse at a viewing party from noon to 2 p.m. on Monday, April 8, at the East Recreation Field Complex on the Main Campus.
The event will feature a range of engaging activities and educational opportunities. Angela Speck, professor and chair of the UTSA Department of Physics and Astronomy, will narrate the community viewing experience. Attendees can also participate in a crowd countdown and pick up free, limited-edition Roadrunner eclipse glasses to safely watch this once-in-a-lifetime event.
Community members gathered at UTSA for a viewing party during the annular solar eclipse on October 14, 2023. ‘Runners will be invited to the Main Campus again to watch the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.
Additionally, knowledgeable staff and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions, provide guidance and enhance the viewing experience.
“Eclipses are amazing,” Speck says. “Not only are they important for scientific studies, from understanding the sun itself to giving us new insight on the behavior of plants and animals, but they also are awesome in the true sense of the word. A total solar eclipse is unlike any earthly experience and an event you don’t want to miss.”
The Total Solar Eclipse Campus Viewing Party offers a unique opportunity to witness a rare astronomical phenomenon alongside a community of fellow Roadrunners.
Whether viewers love astronomy or are simply curious about the cosmos, the experience is sure to provide lifelong memories.
