The Saint Leo University Astronomy Club is hosting an eclipse-viewing event, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, October 14.

Join Saint Leo University Astronomy Club to View Solar Eclipse, Oct. 14

The public is welcome to join the club to view the solar eclipse — which might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience — on campus at 33701 County Road 52, St. Leo, FL 33574.

Serving as Eclipse Ambassadors for NASA are club advisor Dr. Harsha Perera, assistant professor of physics/physical sciences, and undergraduate student Gregory Connelly. “On October 14, 2023, an annular solar eclipse will cross North, Central, and South America,” states the NASA website. “Visible in parts of the United States, Mexico, and many countries in South and Central America, millions of people in the Western Hemisphere can experience this eclipse.”

The club will provide free solar eclipse glasses while they last to those attending. There will be activities for all ages including decorating eclipse glasses and eclipse demonstrations. Saint Leo’s Astronomy Club also hopes to stream the live eclipse on a big screen.

The sun is never completely blocked by the moon during an annular solar eclipse, NASA states “Therefore, during an annular eclipse, it is never safe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection designed for solar viewing.”

This event will take place in the Bowl area near the Student Community Center. This area is a grassy lakeside space, and those attending will have to walk down a small hill to reach the activities. 

Requests for accommodations can be made by emailing section504@saintleo.edu. For more information, visit https://www.saintleo.edu/about/title-ix#toc-requesting-accommodations.

For more information about the event, contact harsha.perera@saintleo.edu or call her office at (352) 588-7408.  

About Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University is one of the largest Catholic universities in the nation, offering more than 60 undergraduate and graduate-level degree programs and specializations to more than 15,300 students each year. Founded in 1889 in the Benedictine tradition, the private, nonprofit university is known for providing an education to learners of all backgrounds and ages. Saint Leo is regionally accredited and offers a residential campus in the Tampa Bay region of Florida, at education centers, and through an online program for students anywhere. The university is home to more than 104,000 alumni. Learn more at saintleo.edu.