Special Events
"The Great American Eclipse"
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West Chester University Academic Quad
August 21, 2017
1:00-4:00pm -
On August 21 a total solar eclipse will make its way across the U.S. This will be the first total eclipse seen in the U.S. since 1979. It's the first eclipse to go across the entire country since 1918. West Chester isn't in the path of totality however we will see a partial eclipse from our location with 75% of the Sun being blocked by the Moon.The Mather Planetarium is inviting the public to the West Chester University campus to view the eclipse. There will be eclipse glasses (for the first 300 people) and telescopes on hand for safe solar viewing. Educational activities for all ages will take place during the event as well. Viewing and activities will begin at 1pm. The maximum of the eclipse will occur at 2:43pm. The event will conclude at 4pm. The event is rain or shine. In the case of cloudy skies, activities will still take place on the academic quad but solar viewing may not be possible. In the case of rain, the event will be moved to Ehinger Gymnasium where activities will take place and a live stream of the eclipse from a different location will be shown.
Event Details
This event is free. No tickets or reservations are necessary.
Eclipse glasses will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis to the first 300 people. We do not have glasses for sale. Glasses will NOT be handed out before 1pm. Please note, it is still possible to observe the eclipse without glasses using projection methods (i.e. not direct viewing) which will be done during the event as well.
The academic quad is located in the block bounded by High St., Church St., Rosedale Ave., and University Ave.
Ehinger Gymnasium (the rain location) is located at the corner of Church St. and University Ave.
A campus map indicating the viewing locations can be found here.
Parking is available in all lots designated as student lots. No permit is necessary in these lots for this event. Parking is also available in metered spots along all of these streets. Parking is NOT allowed in employee lots, visitor spaces, or other specially designated spaces. Additional parking can be found on the south campus however there are NO shuttle buses running to the north campus on this date. A campus map showing locations of lots can be found here.
Questions about the event should be directed to the Planetarium Director,
Dr. Karen Schwarz.
"Mather Planetarium Beautification Project Dedication"
Mather Planetarium Courtyard Entrance
August 21, 2017
5:30-6:30PM
Join us on the day of the solar eclipse as we celebrate the beautification project
for the Mather Planetarium and the art that has brought this space to life: the mosaic
Constellation and the Sun Sculpture. We will be honoring Helga Knox, WCU alumna,
whose generous donation had made this project possible.
The event will take place in the courtyard outside of the Mather Planetarium entrance. Dr. Chris Fiorentino, WCU President, will welcome guests at 5:30PM. The artists will be on hand to talk about their works. Light refreshements will be served. Tours of the planetarium will be given.
Metered parking is available on Church St. and Rosedale Ave. Guests may park for free in Lot K behind the Sykes Student Union Building (parking map).
Guests are asked to RSVP by August 14th. For questions, please call (610) 430-4150.