A total solar eclipse is happening on April 8, 2024!
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and Sun, obscuring some of the Sun’s light. On April 8, 2024, there will be a total solar eclipse, which is a type of solar eclipse where the Moon completely blocks the Sun. The Moon’s shadow will follow a path along Earth’s surface, called the path of totality, which is shown in the map below. Parts of Vermont are located within the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse path of totality, which has not happened since 1932 (source).
A total solar eclipse can only be experienced from within the path of totality. Outside the path of totality, the Moon may block part of the Sun’s disk, but not all of it. In other words, only a partial solar eclipse may be experienced from outside the path of totality. The magnitude of the partial solar eclipse, which is the maximum fraction of the Sun’s diameter that gets obscured by the Moon, decreases as you go farther away from the path of totality.
The southern edge of the April 8, 2024 path of totality passes through the town of Middlebury. This means that some parts of Middlebury will experience a total solar eclipse and other parts will not. For example, the Middlebury College main campus is within the path of totality, but the Middlebury State Airport is not. Note that the Bread Loaf campus and the Snow Bowl are not within the path of totality. Since the boundary of the path of totality crosses through the town of Middlebury, it’s imperative to check the 2024 solar eclipse maps, linked at the end of this webpage, to learn about what to expect for a specific location in the area.
Solar Eclipse Safety Information
Looking at the sun, even briefly, without specialized eclipse safety glasses during any part of the eclipse can cause severe permanent eye damage and vision loss. While the risk may be minimized during the moment of totality, that moment is subjective and permanent damage can occur just before or after totality. Peeking for a few seconds, wearing sunglasses, or squinting will not protect your eyes.
A solar eclipse requires special precautions to view safely. The most important thing to remember is: Never look directly at the Sun. Please review the NASA and American Astronomical Society websites, linked below, on solar eclipse viewing safety.
Solar Eclipse Safety Resources
NASA: Total Solar Eclipse Safety
AAS: How to View a Solar Eclipse Safely
AAS: Suppliers of Safe Solar Viewers & Filters
Where to Get Eclipse Glasses
Students, Faculty, and Staff can obtain eclipse glasses at the following times:
Friday 4/5, 12:00 - 1:30pm
Axinn Winter Garden
Sunday 4/7, 1:00 - 4:00pm
McCardell Bicentennial Hall, Great Hall
Monday 4/8, 1:30 - 4:30pm
Battell Beach Viewing Location
Midd ID is required to pick up eclipse glasses. Please follow all instructions printed on the eclipse glasses.
Schedule of Events
The 2024 Solar Eclipse Lecture Series is sponsored by the Mittelman Observatory and the Department of Physics.
MBH 216
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Dr. Catherine Miller, Department of Physics
Mission to the Sun: Exploring the Solar Corona
Open to: Faculty/Staff and Students
Closed to the Public
MBH 216
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Prof. James Fitzsimmons, Department of Anthropology
Eclipses and Other Solar Anxieties in Ancient Mesoamerica
Open to: Faculty/Staff and Students
Closed to the Public
RCD 011
MCAB Bracelet Making and Cookie Decorating
Open to: Students
Closed to the Public
MBH 216
-
Prof. Eilat Glikman, Department of Physics
The Physics and Societal Impact of Solar Eclipses
Open to: Faculty/Staff and Students
Closed to the Public
MBH 216
-
Prof. McKinley Brumback, Department of Physics
From Core to Corona: Exploring the Sun and What to Expect During Total Eclipse
Open to: Faculty/Staff and Students
Closed to the Public
RCD 011
MCAB Flying Lanterns
Open to: Students
Closed to the Public
Mittelman Observatory
Stargazing
Open to: Faculty/Staff and Students
Closed to the Public
Registration Required (see events calendar)
Wilson Hall
MCAB Movie Night Guardians of the Galaxy
Open to: Faculty/Staff and Students
Closed to the Public
Viewing Location – Battell Beach
View the Total Solar Eclipse
Glasses will be provided for viewing
Open to: Faculty/Staff and Students
Closed to the Public
Wilson Cafe
MCAB Trivia Night
Open to: Students
Closed to the Public
Davis Family Library 101
Special Collections Eclipse Open House
Reminisce about eclipses past! Featuring a newly donated 1748 solar eclipse map and other eclipse-themed archival materials.
Open to: Faculty/Staff and Students
Closed to the Public
Eclipse Day Information
An eclipse viewing party for students, faculty, and staff will be held at Battell Beach (between Pearson’s Hall and Battell Hall) from 2:00 - 4:30pm. Eclipse glasses will be available for pick-up starting at 1:30pm and light refreshments will be provided. Please remember to bring extra layers for warmth since the outside temperature can drop during the solar eclipse. This event is closed to the public.
According to the timeanddate.com eclipse map, the partial phase of the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse will begin at McCardell Bicentennial Hall at approximately 2:14pm. The Moon will increasingly cover the Sun until the moment of totality, when the Sun is completely obscured by the Moon. Depending on location, totality can last seconds to minutes long. According to timeanddate.com, McCardell Bicentennial Hall will experience 60 seconds of totality, starting shortly after 3:27pm. After totality, the Moon will increasingly reveal the Sun until the solar eclipse ends. At McCardell Bicentennial Hall, the April 8, 2024 eclipse will end at approximately 4:37pm. (source)
The exact timing of totality is location-dependent, so it’s imperative to check the 2024 eclipse maps and calculators, linked below, to learn about what to expect for your specific location.
Solar Eclipse Resources
2024 Solar Eclipse Maps and Calculators
National Solar Observatory Eclipse Map
U.S. Naval Observatory Eclipse Calculator
2024 Solar Eclipse Information
NASA: 2024 Total Solar Eclipse