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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

 
Diagram showing the 2024 solar eclipse over Ohio, with the center line going from Greenville in the southwest to Conneaut in the northeast. The western limit of totality includes Toledo, and the eastern limit includes parts of Columbus. The white dots represent regional campuses.

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.

 
 

 

 

Flash Wearing Eclipse Safety Glasses

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 glassesâ€) 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 for more information.

Source:

 
 

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

 
2024 Eclipse - Â鶹´«Ã½

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:

Registration Closed: All tickets sold out. 

Belltower Brewing Company Logo

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

Smith Hall

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:

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.

Design Innovation Eclipse

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:

Shared Sku Poem Graphic

Wick Poetry Center’s Total Eclipse Community Poem, “Shared Skyâ€

Join the Wick Poetry Center at Â鶹´«Ã½ 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 to share your voice now.

Date: April 8

Time: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Location:

2024 Eclipse - Â鶹´«Ã½

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:

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.

Headshot of Beth A. Cunningham, ’82, M.A. ’83, Ph.D. ’87

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:

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.

Two people wearing eclipse glasses look to the sky

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:

2024 Eclipse - Â鶹´«Ã½

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

Kent Total Eclipse 2024

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

 
Kent State Athletics Logo over a Solar Eclipse

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

Kent State Athletics Logo over a Solar Eclipse

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

 

For three short minutes on April 8, our world stood still.

Eclipse Resources

 
NASA Logo

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

Eclipse Wallpaper

 
Eclipse 2024 Phone Background Wallpaper v01

Eclipse 2024 Phone Background Wallpaper v02 r01

Eclipse 2024 Phone Background Wallpaper v03

Questions?

If you have additional questions regarding the eclipse and Â鶹´«Ã½, please contact Jenn Bishop, jgehrin1@kent.edu.