A Day Without a Night and a Night Without a Day! Observing and Understanding the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse

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Event has ended

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Center for the ARTS of Homer
72 S. Main St.
Homer, NY 13077

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A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly between Earth and the Sun, casting its shadow on Earth’s surface. Because of a slight tilt in the moon’s orbit around the Earth, we don’t get a solar eclipse every time the moon completes an orbit. Solar eclipses happen about twice a year, but the shadow rarely passes over populated areas and most often passes over the oceans. The eclipse of April 2024 will be a rare treat because the moon’s shadow will pass across central America and the continental U.S., so a total eclipse will be visible to tens of millions of people, including communities right here in Central New York. Join us for a presentation and discussion of solar eclipses, the details of how and why they happen, and how to safely observe them.

Bio: Luke Keller is a professor of physics and astronomy at Ithaca College. He teaches all areas of physics and astronomy to both majors and non-majors. He particularly enjoys exploring the spaces between the traditional academic disciplines and collaborates with artists to bring science to the general public. He is a member of the Lime Hollow Nature Center board of directors, where he has helped organize the popular Science and Suds programs co-sponsored by the Hopshire Farm and Brewery. He is an avid cyclist, hiker, and cross-country skier and a licensed pilot. Keller lives in Etna, NY, with his wife Sheri and their daughter Amelia.

Eclipse Safety (from NASA website): Except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s bright face, it is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing. Safe solar viewing glasses, or “eclipse glasses”, are not regular sunglasses. Solar viewing glasses should

comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard. Viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.

A Day Without a Night and a Night Without a Day! Observing and Understanding the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse

72 S. Main St.
Homer, NY 13077

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