As the sun, Earth and moon continue their course toward a total solar eclipse, final preparations are being made to allow students, faculty and staff at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to view the phenomenon together.
The sun and moon will be in alignment over Lincoln to cast areas of Earth into darkness for about 90 seconds, beginning at about 1:02 p.m. Aug. 21.
It will be the first day of the fall 2017 semester at Nebraska — and classes are not being canceled. However, Donde Plowman, executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer, has encouraged faculty with courses scheduled during the eclipse to interrupt class if possible.
Huskers wishing to observe the eclipse must have solar glasses in order to prevent injury to their eyes. Free protective eyewear will be handed out to students, faculty and staff on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 9 a.m. Aug. 21. The eyewear will be available at two stations on East Campus Mall until 11 a.m., when the stations will be combined into one. Volunteers will give out eyewear at the following locations on City Campus: Green Space north of Nebraska Union and the Hall Learning Commons in Love Library. More eyewear will be available at 11 a.m. at additional sites, including of Oldfather Hall, Hamilton Hall, the green space between Manter and Hamilton halls and Willa Cather Dining Hall.
Watch areas have been designated on both campuses: at the City Campus Green Space outside Nebraska Union and the East Campus Mall. Also, the Department of Physics and Astronomy is hosting a free science and engineering expo at Haymarket Park from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 21 in conjunction with a Lincoln Saltdogs baseball game.
For those unable to step outside during the event, the university will host a live stream of the eclipse on its home page.
In partnership with University Recycling and the Office of Sustainability, the University of Nebraska Federal Credit Union will collect the viewing glasses for recycling. Spectators can bring the eyewear to credit-union branches at 1720 P St. or 301 N. 52nd St. through Sept. 16. Participants in the recycling effort can enter to win an Amazon Echo during a Sept. 18 drawing.
“With hundreds of thousands of glasses in use, we thought it would be good to remember to be kind to the environment,” said Keith Kauffeld, president and CEO of the credit union.
The university is hosting a number of pre-eclipse astronomy viewings, planetarium shows and other events. A full listing of events and more information can be found here.
