Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) College of Optometry and Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography will join forces to give students, faculty and staff the opportunity to “see” the total eclipse as it happens. The Departments of Astronomy and Physics will bring several telescopes for optimum viewing and the College of Optometry will have a limited number of viewing glasses on hand for the enthusiastic crowd.
WHERE: The “Quad” in front of NSU’s Alvin Sherman Library, 3300 S. University Drive., Davie (NSU’s Main Campus)
WHEN: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday, August 21
This is the first time in 99 years that a total eclipse will be visible from coast to coast across the United States. Because of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, NSU will be hosting a “watch party” for students, faculty and staff on its main campus in Davie. We’ll have ISO certified glasses on hand and NSU professors will have professional-grade telescopes for people to use to get an “up close and personal view” of the eclipse.
“It is critical that anyone who wants to view the eclipse in South Florida – where we will see approximately 80% of totality — properly protect their eyes,” said Cristina Llerena Law, O.D., Ph.D., F.A.A.O., associate professor, College of Optometry. “Even a quick glimpse with unprotected eyes can cause temporary or possibly permanent damage to your vision.”
While this may be viewed by some as a cool social event, NSU professors say there is a deeper, educational component to it.
“This solar eclipse is a powerful event that visualizes the deep and ubiquitous connection between us on earth and the forces of the cosmos,” said Stefan Kautch, Ph.D., associate professor of Physics and Astronomy, Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography. “In particular, we will see how the force of gravitation determines the planetary orbits and leads to this impressive alignment of planetary bodies.”
For more information, please visit: https://www.aoa.org/Documents/AOA_Solar_Eclipse_Across_America_infographic_vert_Final.pdf