Remember the Day the Sun Vanished?

Physics event makes solar eclipse day unforgettable

Last year, on April 8, the Cardwell lawn was the place to be as students and community members gathered for our department's wildly popular solar eclipse watch party. The partial eclipse over Manhattan began around 12:35 p.m., captivating the crowd until its peak at 1:51 p.m., and continued until its conclusion at 3:08 p.m.

With telescopes, solar viewers, and protective eyewear provided by Physics faculty, staff, and students, attendees of the event safely observed a remarkable partial solar eclipse. Though totality was not achieved, the moon still blocked out approximately 85% of the sun, offering an impressive view.

The April 8 solar eclipse was a special event because eclipses occur only twice a year, and total solar eclipses are even rarer. The next significant observable eclipse at K-State is not expected for two more decades.