ETSU is planning an event around the partial eclipse on Oct. 14.

On Saturday, Oct. 14, the sun and moon are going to put on a celestial show.  

A solar eclipse will cross South, Central and North America and will be visible to much of the United States.
 
East Tennessee State University plans to take advantage. 

The university will host a public viewing. 

“If you have never seen an eclipse before, even a partial one, it is an incredible experience,” said Dr. Gary Henson, a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.  

The department will set up telescopes with solar filters so the sun can be viewed safely. Volunteers from the Bays Mountain Astronomy Club will also bring telescopes for the event.  

While the full eclipse won’t be visible in the region, eastern Tennessee will get a partial eclipse, with the moon covering about 40% of the sun’s surface at the eclipse maximum.  

The free event runs from 11:45 a.m.-2:45 p.m. in parking lot nine on ETSU’s main campus. The parking lot is located off West Walnut Street, running parallel to State of Franklin Road, across from the shopping area that includes First Watch and Starbucks.  

ETSU is home to a vibrant community, hosting dozens of concerts, exhibitions and events for the public throughout the year. And the ETSU Planetarium, where Henson serves as director, plays an important regional role, with dozens of organizations coming to campus for presentations.   

For disability accommodations, call the ETSU Office of Disability Services at (423) 439-8346. 

###

East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 with a singular mission: to improve the quality of life for people in the region and beyond. Through its world-class health sciences programs and interprofessional approach to health care education, ETSU is a highly respected leader in rural health research and practices. The university also boasts nationally ranked programs in the arts, technology, computing, and media studies. ETSU serves approximately 14,000 students each year and is ranked among the top 10 percent of colleges in the nation for students graduating with the least amount of debt.

Browse Related Stories

Stay in Touch

Follow ETSU on Social