Students, staff and the community gathered outside the Downing Planetarium Monday to observe the partial solar eclipse. Photo by Estela Anahi Jaramillo

The Physics Department at Fresno State had a free, public solar eclipse viewing event from 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the Downing Planetarium at Fresno State.

The department set up solar telescopes for public use to safely view the eclipse. Solar eclipse glasses were also available for $5 each at the planetarium.

During the celestial event, a free planetarium program was also available for viewing inside the 72-seat star theater. 

The program, “Lights Out! Eclipses: Whys, Wonders and Wows,” delved into the science behind eclipses and their significant role throughout history, providing a rich educational experience. 

 

Students and families joined the viewing with blankets and chairs. Students like Makayla Lee and Monse Carrillo grabbed some pizza from Pieology at Campus Pointe and joined the other attendees for the eclipse. 

“It’s a unique event that we can get a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing,” said Lee. “I came for the vibes, to see everyone happy and excited about something.”

Lee and Carrillo expressed that Fresno State’s plan for the eclipse viewing is a wonderful chance to bring people together, fostering a sense of unity and shared wonder as they witness something remarkable. 

Students in Fresno State’s Physics Outreach Program were surprised by the turnout of people who wanted to see the solar eclipse. This will be the last visible total solar eclipse for the next 20 years.