IU campuses offering variety of eclipse events to enjoy celestial spectacle
Feb 29, 2024
Indiana University’s campuses statewide are using the April 8 total solar eclipse to educate and entertain the public with events and programs beforehand and the day of. Five IU campuses — in Bloomington, Indianapolis, Kokomo, Richmond and Columbus — will be in the path of totality, where the sun is completely eclipsed by the moon.
Bloomington events
The largest event will be the Hoosier Cosmic Celebration from 1 to 5 p.m. April 8 in IU Bloomington’s Memorial Stadium. It will feature a performance by singer, songwriter and actress Janelle Monae; a spoken-word performance by actor William Shatner of “Star Trek” fame; and a speech by former NASA astronaut Mae Jemison, the first American woman of color to travel in space. The support of sponsors IU Bookstore, Coca-Cola, Legends and Herff Jones has helped make the eclipse programming possible.
IU Bloomington also will host Science Fest 2024 on April 6. The free event will offer safety tips and teach attendees about the impact that solar eclipses have on all life and the science of an eclipse.
Indianapolis events
In Indianapolis, IU has partnered with Visit Indy for the Lunacy! Solar Eclipse Festival at White River State Park downtown. IU Indianapolis will have a booth at the free event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 8. Also, several telescopes will be set up around the Indianapolis campus the day of the eclipse, with School of Science students or faculty on hand to help visitors safely view the phenomenon.
A “Total Eclipse of the Heart” event will take place from noon to 3 p.m. April 8 on the Indianapolis campus. A scavenger hunt sponsored by Coca-Cola is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to lead up to the eclipse; the hunt will start at the Campus Recreation Outdoor Facility at Lockefield Green, at the corner of West North Street and University Boulevard. “Total Eclipse of the Heart” will also feature games, a photobooth, crafts and more. Visit Housing and Residence Life’s Instagram @iupuihrl and the IUPUI calendar for updated details.
Several seminars and lectures are planned leading up to the eclipse, including the student-led Solar Eclipse Seminar, put on by the Medical Neuroscience Graduate Organization. School of Science lecturer Ed Rhoads will also give a talk about the eclipse on March 28 on campus. More details will be shared on the IUPUI calendar.
IU Kokomo is among the Indiana University campuses in the path of totality for the April 8 solar eclipse. Photo courtesy of IU Kokomo
Regional events
IU Kokomo’s KEY Academy is offering a series of immersive events, called “Dark as Dusk,” to prepare the community for the eclipse. The next event, on March 11, focuses on eclipse photography, videography and citizen science projects. On April 8, a KEY Academy reception will take place at 1:30 p.m., followed by eclipse viewing.
IU South Bend faculty and students are offering “Meet the Stars” educational programs for all ages from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. March 26.
Rufus’ Solar Celebration, from noon to 4 p.m. Central Standard Time on April 8 in the Moraine Student Center and Savannah Center at IU Northwest, will feature food, music, games and a telescope.
IU Fort Wayne, in partnership with Purdue Fort Wayne, invites students to transport themselves to the 1990s at its Solar Eclipse Viewing Party from 2 to 4 p.m. April 8 at Science Mall. Indulge in throwback treats, groove to ’90s beats, play yard games and win prizes. Solar eclipse glasses will be provided for the celestial spectacle.
IU Southeast is having a Solarpalooza eclipse viewing party at 1:30 p.m. April 8 at McCullough Plaza. The event is free and will include music, solar tattoos and Moon Pies.
IU East will have a day of events on campus starting at 11 a.m. April 8. Activities include a solar walk, a scavenger hunt and space movies to watch. Telescopes will be made available for viewing, and assistant professor of physics Wes Tobin will guide visitors through the viewing of the eclipse.
