The first total solar eclipse to sweep across the United States in 99 years will occur on Aug. 21, with Nashville, Tennessee, in its direct path. During the eclipse, the moon will pass in front of the sun, blocking its light for up to two minutes and 42 seconds. As reported by Vanderbilt’s Dyer Observatory, Nashville is the largest metro population in the path of the total eclipse.
The Office of the Vice Provost for Learning and Residential Affairs, in partnership with a variety of internal and external partners, including Dyer Observatory, is coordinating a series of student competitions, curricular and co-curricular programs, and special events to celebrate the upcoming eclipse.
Student competitions
Obscura
The Department of Art is hosting a visual arts competition called “Obscura.” The submission deadline is March 15. Visit vu.edu/eclipse for submission requirements or http://vustudioart.blogspot.com to learn more.
The Sun and the Moon: A Poetry and Flash Fiction Contest
The Department of English is hosting a creative writing competition called “The Sun and the Moon: A Poetry and Flash Fiction Contest.” The submission deadline is March 27. Visit vu.edu/eclipse for submission requirements, or email kate.daniels@vanderbilt.edu for more information.
Solar Expressions
The Curb Center for Art, Enterprise and Public Policy is hosting an innovation competition called Solar Expressions. The submission deadline is March 31. Visit vu.edu/eclipse for submission requirements, or email curbcenter@vanderbilt.edu for more information.
Celebration of competition winners
The Office of the Vice Provost for Learning and Residential Affairs will host a celebration of the competition winners on April 17 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Winners will receive monetary prizes, and the winning submissions will be presented and/or on display during the ceremony. Visit vu.edu/eclipse for more information.
Spring events (open to campus)
Dyer Observatory open house
Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory will host an open house the first Tuesday of each month from 1 to 3 p.m. beginning in March through November 2017. For more information, visit vu.edu/eclipse or contact the Dyer Observatory.
The Shadow of the Sun: E.E. Barnard and the Solar Eclipse
Vanderbilt University Libraries will host an exhibition curated by four astronomy students on the work of American astronomer Edward Emerson Barnard (1857-1823). The exhibition will be located at the Central Library, Second Floor Gallery, from April 7 through Sept. 10. The opening reception will be held on April 7. For more information, visit vu.edu/eclipse or contact celia.walker@vanderbilt.edu at the Jean and Alexander Heard Library.
Skywatchers of the Ancient Americas
John W. Janusek, associate professor of anthropology, will present on the science of astronomy and skywatching in several civilizations across the Precolumbian Americas at 3 p.m. April 5 at the Wond’ry, Room 202. Visit vu.edu/eclipse for more information.
Countdown to totality
Dyer Observatory will set up a solar telescope at various locations on campus every Thursday from noon to 2 p.m., weather permitting, from March 16 to April 20. Visit vu.edu/eclipse and follow @vueclipse on Facebook or Twitter to find out the locations of the solar telescopes on campus each Thursday.
Maymester
Susan Stewart, adjoint assistant professor of astronomy, will teach a Maymester class titled “Preparing for the 2017 Total Eclipse” (ASTR 3890: Special Topics in Astronomy). For more information, contact susan.g.stewart@vanderbilt.edu, visit the Maymester On-Campus website, or register on YES from March 27 to May 8.
Eclipse day events
Distribution of viewing glasses
Vanderbilt University will distribute glasses that are safe for viewing the eclipse to Vanderbilt students, faculty and staff. First-year students will gather on The Ingram Commons lawn for their class picture with their glasses to view the eclipse. Check vu.edu/eclipse, Facebook and Twitter for forthcoming details on the distribution locations.
Eclipse ballooning project
The School of Engineering is partnering with NASA, NOAA, the Tennessee Space Consortium, and the Vanderbilt University Amateur Radio Club (VUARC) to send a high-altitude weather balloon to the edge of space to live-stream video of the total solar eclipse. Vanderbilt community members may watch the live stream at the Wond’ry from noon to 2 p.m. Visit vu.edu/eclipse for additional information.
VUARClipse
The Vanderbilt University Amateur Radio Club (VUARC) will communicate with amateur radio operators (a.k.a hams) across Tennessee via a radio repeater aboard the weather balloon. Visit the Wond’ry from noon to 2 p.m. to watch the live stream and join the VUARC members in communicating with other amateur radio enthusiasts. Visit vu.edu/eclipse for more information.
For more information or updates about the competitions and events, please visit vu.edu/eclipse, or follow @VUeclipse on Facebook and Twitter.