On April 8, 2024, Kent State was in the path of totality for a total solar eclipse. We joined Northeast Ohio in observing this truly once-in-a-lifetime celestial event.
Leading up to the eclipse, Kent State offered educational, interactive, and dynamic events for students, alumni and community members. Please see the event and story sections below for information on all the stellar events that took place.
Path of Totality
Three Minutes of Twilight
On April 8, 2024, Kent, Ohio was in the path of totality for a solar eclipse where the moon completely blacked out the sun for approximately three minutes at 3:14 p.m. There will not be another total solar eclipse in the U.S. until August 2044; and in Northeast Ohio until September 2099.
Partial Eclipse: 1:59 p.m. to 4:29 p.m.
Total Eclipse: 3:14 p.m. to 3:17 p.m.
Eye Safety
Eye Safety During a Total Solar Eclipse
- 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.
- 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.
- When watching the partial phases of the solar eclipse directly with your eyes, which happens before and after totality, you must look through safe solar viewing glasses (“eclipse glasses”) or a safe handheld solar viewer at all times. Eclipse glasses are NOT regular sunglasses; regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the Sun. Safe solar viewers are thousands of times darker and ought to comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard. NASA does not approve any particular brand of solar viewers. Visit NASA for more information.
Source: https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/safety/
Eclipse Glasses
Students
Glasses will be distributed on Kent Campus:
- Starting Friday, April 5, the bookstore will distribute to students. FLASHcard must be presented to receive glasses.
- April 8 – glasses will be distributed at Risman Plaza starting at 1 p.m. (first come, first serve).
Faculty/Staff
Faculty and staff may request eclipse glasses through University Facilities Management ReADY Work Request System. Orders will be accepted through Friday, March 29.
Eclipse Events
Crafting Your Total Eclipse Experience with Dr. Jon Secaur '72, '94 - Sold Out
Don’t be caught in the dark! Join us at the Learning Innovations Lab with Dr. Jon Secaur, Emeritus Professor, to make your own eclipse viewer, ensuring you catch every breathtaking moment of the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse. Participants will also have opportunities to explore the solar system via augmented and virtual reality and craft eclipse-themed swag including commemorative buttons and tote bags. This event is free and open to all - community members, families, Kent State students, faculty, and staff.
Date: April 3
Time: 4-6 p.m.
Location: Learning Innovations Lab, Room 210 White Hall
Registration Closed: All tickets sold out.
Lecture at the Bell Tower
Join Dr. Carol Robinson for an enlightening lecture on folklore and superstitions related to eclipses, the moon and celestial occurrences. Open to the public.
Date: April 4
Time: 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Bell Tower Brew Company, Kent, Ohio
Planetarium Shows
Embark on your own stargazing adventure and join us underneath our awe-inspiring 40-foot dome for any of our three planetarium shows taking place April 8 – the day of the total solar eclipse. Student guides will take guests on a captivating journey through space that explores the constellations and how to navigate the night sky.
Show Times: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Duration: 45 minutes per show
Location: Kent State University Planetarium, 108 Smith Hall
Capacity: 150 people per show (first-come, first-served)
Ticket Distribution: Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis outside the planetarium at 9 a.m. for the two morning shows and at noon for the two afternoon shows. You must be present to claim a ticket. You may not claim a ticket on behalf of anyone else. No exceptions.
Total Eclipse at the HUB
Get ready to unleash your creativity as we prepare for the upcoming solar eclipse! Join us for an interactive open house at the DI HUB where you can make and take your own unique eclipse-themed creations in the REACTOR and experience an immersive celestial exhibit in the Blank_Lab. This event is open to ALL visitors- community members, families, Kent State students, faculty, and staff.
Date: April 8
Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Location: REACTOR (Room 150) and throughout 1st floor of DI HUB
Wick Poetry Center’s Total Eclipse Community Poem, “Shared Sky”
Join the Wick Poetry Center at Kent State University in the Maj Ragain Poetry Park, 11 am – 5 pm on Monday, April 8th to celebrate the science and wonder of the 2024 Total Eclipse through the imaginative language of poetry. Participants will have the opportunity to share their voice or drawing to the online community poem, “Shared Sky” and post their reflection on an interactive map of the path of totality. Participants will also learn about the science and history of eclipses and make online erasure poems from scientific articles and historic texts on the website. Visit Poets for Science to share your voice now.
Date: April 8
Time: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Maj Ragain Poetry Park
Lunar Lunch - Sold Out
Kent State alumni and their guests are invited to join us for a galactic grab-and-go lunch, complete with stellar cuisine and an amazing atmosphere to reconnect with their alma mater. This complimentary lunch, now sold out, will only be provided to the first 500 guests who registered and secured a gold ticket.
Time: 11:45 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
Location: Kent Student Center, Second Floor Dining Room
Registration Closed: All tickets sold out.
Ticket Distribution: Gold ticket holders will receive a QR code to use at check-in. The QR code will be distributed via email and text message prior to the event.
Beyond the Eclipse: A Cosmic Conversation with Beth A. Cunningham, ’82, M.A. ’83, Ph.D. ’87
Join Beth A. Cunningham, Kent State alumna and chief executive officer of the American Association of Physics Teachers, as she discusses the science and significance of a total solar eclipse. She’ll also delve into recent astronomical discoveries that have reshaped our understanding of the cosmos – from gravitational waves and the potential for life-sustaining atmospheres on distant planets to the groundbreaking insights brought to light by the James Webb Space Telescope. This presentation will also be livestreamed and recorded.
Time: 1:30–2:15 p.m.
Location: Kent Student Center Ballroom
Capacity: 800 people (first-come, first-served)
Ticket Distribution: Doors open at 1 p.m. and seating is first-come, first-served. Overflow seating is available in the Kiva Auditorium where the presentation will be shown via livestream.
Total Solar Eclipse Viewing Party
Join us for the ultimate viewing party, where the sun, moon and Earth will align for a cosmic dance that will leave you breathless. Professor Veronica Dexheimer, Ph.D., Department of Physics, will provide scientific commentary to viewers and, at 3:15 p.m., the Kent Campus will be cloaked in total darkness for several mesmerizing minutes. Outdoor seating is very limited so guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs or blankets.
Time: 2:45–3:45 p.m.
Location: Risman Plaza
Citizen Science Activities
Engage in hands-on science projects that make a difference. Participate in initiatives led by various departments.
Date: April 8
Time: 11:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Location: Cunningham Hall—OUTSIDE
Downtown Kent Events
Consider visiting Downtown Kent throughout the weekend and participate in any of the city of Kent's many events taking place. Run in the MSK 5k Race, listen to the Dark Side of the Moon tribute band, gaze at the Encore Laser Light Show and so much more!
Date: April 8
Location: Downtown Kent, Ohio
Nothing Eclipses Golden Flashes
Women's Lacrosse vs. Akron
Date: April 7
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Dix Stadium
Promotional Activities: Solar eclipse glasses giveaway, Senior Day, Youth Sports Day
Baseball vs. Eastern Michigan
Date: April 7
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Schoonover Stadium
Promotional Activities: Solar eclipse glasses giveaway, Ohio 529 Kid’s Weekend
Stories
Eclipse Resources
NASA Eclipses
NASA studies solar eclipses from the ground, in our atmosphere, and in space, influencing solar and Earth science.
Learn more about eclipses at https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/
