April 19, 2024

The April 2024 Solar Eclipse!

Physics & Astronomy led an on-campus event to view the eclipse.

Posted in: Physics, Science and Technology, Students

Physics majors Mariana Pereira and Jasmine Valencerina looking cool in their eclipse glasses. [Photo by John LaRosa.]

April 8th, 2024 saw the passage of the Moon’s shadow over Northern New Jersey and a large swath of the United States. The Physics & Astronomy Department organized a communal viewing of this partial eclipse in front of Richardson Hall and CELS (the Center for Environmental and Life Sciences). This was organized by Prof. Shaon Ghosh with assistance from several physics majors, including Elton Ago, Louis Araujo, Zoe Drasheff, Charles Ram, Nate Tan, and Jasmine Valencerina.

Gathering in front of the Center for Environmental and Life Sciences to view the eclipse. [Photo by John LaRosa.]

The event had a tremendous turn-out, with a large crowd gathering to view the partial eclipse. In addition to distributing eclipse glasses, physics students helped set up viewing stations where the Sun could be viewed in projection—focusing the Sun’s rays through a small telescope or binoculars onto a sheet of paper.

A huge turnout for viewing the partial eclipse! [Photo by John LaRosa.]

Physics major Louis Araujo adjust a "sunspotter," which projects the Sun's image and allows a safe viewing of the eclipse. — Physics major Louis Araujo adjust a “sunspotter,” which projects the Sun’s image and allows a safe viewing of the eclipse. [Photo by John LaRosa.]

Even Rocky the Red Hawk came out to enjoy the show and pump up the crowd.

Rocky joins Prof. Shaon Ghosh and physics majors Stephanie Montoya, Elton Ago, and Max Polak---checking out a projected image of the Sun. (Sorry, Rocky, we didn't have eclipse glasses in your size.) [Photo by John LaRosa.] — Rocky joins Prof. Shaon Ghosh and physics majors Stephanie Montoya, Elton Ago, and Max Polak—checking out a projected image of the Sun. (Sorry, Rocky, we didn’t have eclipse glasses in your size.) [Photo by John LaRosa.]

While the Montclair campus experienced a 91% partial eclipse, some members of the department traveled to the path of totality. Physics professor Marc Favata headed to Newport, Vermont, where favorable weather was forecasted. “Seeing totality was an incredible experience,” says Favata. “If you have a bucket list, viewing a total eclipse needs to be on it.”

Image of the April 8th eclipse taken during totality from Newport, Vermont. Check out the corona and two solar prominences! [Photo by Marc Favata.]

Physics major and budding astrophotographer Renzo Herrera headed to St. Johnsbury, Vermont, where he captured the sequence of images assembled below.

Photo montage of the April 2024 solar eclipse, taken by physics major Renzo Herrera.

The next partial solar eclipses viewable from New Jersey will be on August 12, 2026 and August 12, 20245. On May 1, 2079, New Jersey will experience its next total solar eclipse. See you then!

For more photos of the eclipse event at Montclair State University, check out this photo album (courtesy of John LaRosa, University Photographer) and the University’s news story on this event.