Taylor University to Host Eclipse Viewing Event

Taylor University will be in the path of totality during the total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8th, 2024, as the moon passes between the sun and the Earth. To take part in this once-in-a-lifetime event, we are inviting Taylor alumni, family, and friends as well as groups of 6th-12th grade students and homeschool families to campus. 

The eclipse will occur at 3:08 pm, but there are many events happening beforehand. 6th-12th grade students will arrive at 11:30 am to participate in a series of learning events while Taylor alumni, family, and friends are invited to arrive at 10:00 am for chapel and lectures followed by the eclipse viewing.

For Taylor alumni, parents, and friends, check in opens at 9:00 am. There will be plenty of solar glasses available (for free), food trucks, and opportunities to learn about God’s creation. You can register for the event here.

Expect increased traffic on the roads as fellow viewers move towards the path of totality. Vayhinger Loop will be one-way traffic throughout the day to accommodate school buses and visitors’ vehicles. 

For more information, please visit taylor.edu/eclipse. 

Taylor Alumni, Family, & Friends Schedule

• 9:30 am - 2 pm: Check in open
• 10 am: Chapel with Dr. Katrina Koehler
• 11 pm - 1:30 pm: Food trucks open
• 1 pm: A Data-Driven Story of the Great Commission lecture
• 2 pm: What to Expect from the Eclipse lecture
• 3 pm: Total Solar Eclipse (see below for details)

6th-12th Grade Students Schedule

• 11:30 am: Arrival 
• 12:30 pm: Learning Events
  • The Sun’s Big, Yo (Scale of the solar system)
  • Illumination/Shadow (What is a total solar eclipse) 
  • Environmental Phenomena (What to look for during the eclipse)
  • Making a solar viewer (pinhole camera and pinhole projector)
  • Environmental scientists will teach students about eclipse related weather phenomena and balloon teams will launch sensor packages on weather balloons
• Balloon Launch
• 3 pm: Total Solar Eclipse 

Eclipse Viewing Information

• 3 pm: Total Eclipse!
• Visitors will be given solar glasses to safely view the eclipse
• During the three minutes of totality (when the moon completely covers the face of the sun) visitors will be able to view the eclipse with the naked eye
• Guests will be able to experience the phenomena they learned about during the lessons / lectures

Dr. Peter Staritz, Professor of Physics and Engineering, the primary organizer of campus events, is driven by the truth of Psalm 19:1: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

Staritz explains that our God is awe-inspiring, and worthy of our adoration. This eclipse puts God’s transcendence on display and is an opportunity to draw near to Him as we witness the wonder He created in the universe. “It’s going to be awesome,” Staritz declares, “in the actual sense of the word.”

The next total eclipse to occur in the Indiana region will not take place until 2099.

Please note: Indiana Emergency Management officials warn that travel after the eclipse may be difficult and ask the community to plan accordingly. If possible, stay in place until after the eclipse and not to try to leave immediately after the conclusion of totality to avoid severe traffic jams. Make sure your vehicle’s fuel tank full prior to the eclipse and have a plan if traffic is worse than expected.