Gathering on the Green: Seton Hall Community Witnesses Rare Solar Eclipse

On Monday, April 8, the University community gathered on the Green to witness the 2024 Solar Eclipse with 90% of the sun being blocked by the moon in the afternoon – the perfect, open-space vantage point to experience the awe-inspiring celestial event.

Hosted by Seton Hall’s Society of Physics Students (SPS) Chapter, students, faculty, staff and other members of the University community filled the Green and surrounding areas, enthusiastically awaiting this celestial phenomenon. "The Society of Physics Students wanted to host an event on campus to make the solar eclipse accessible to everyone, especially those who might not have had the opportunity to experience an eclipse before," commented Edwin Baiden, a junior physics major and the SPS president. "By bringing this event to our community, we wanted to bring about a greater appreciation for the wonders of science and astronomy."

As the eclipse unfolded, the community donned special eclipse glasses, sharing between one another to ensure everyone could safely enjoy the view. Four telescopes were also available, providing another popular viewing option for the crowd.

The atmosphere was further enlivened by background music. Safety remained a top priority throughout the afternoon, with regular announcements about the eclipse’s coverage percentage ensuring that attendees remained informed and protected.

The success of the event was made possible through the generous support of sponsors such as The Division of Student Services and the Student Government Association and support from the Department of Physics and its faculty including Professor Mehmet Sahiner, Ph.D., Professor Erie Morales, Ph.D., SPS Faculty Advisor and Professor Jose Lopez, Ph.D. and Associate Professor Weining Wang, Ph.D.

More than ten student volunteers played crucial roles in ensuring the event's smooth execution, including Christopher Henderson, David Oliver, Sanskruti Brahmbhatt, Austin Hunsberger, Aaron Nathans, Andrew Kopshin, John Trojan, Stephanie Isabel, Ayden Frechette, and Shane Fusco.

"I was amazed to see the sky darken and the air cool almost instantaneously as we reached maximum coverage," reflected Baiden. "But beyond that, there was a sense of community as everyone's gaze was fixed upward in awe. The solar eclipse served as a reminder that, despite our differences, we all live under the same sky and are profoundly influenced by it."

Categories: Campus Life, Science and Technology