The common advice to children is do not stare into the sun. <\/p>\n
On Monday, the Penn State community and millions of others around the country will be doing exactly that, viewing a rare anomaly: a solar eclipse. <\/p>\n
Although State College will only be able to see approximately 80 percent of the eclipse, that is still enough to see the beauty and rarity of the phenomenon. <\/p>\n
The eclipse is to begin at approximately 1:15 p.m., will be close to totality at 2:35 p.m. and will end around 4 p.m. <\/p>\n
The Astronomy and Astrophysics department has been gearing up all week to prepare for the event, and will even go as far as hosting viewing parties on top of laboratories and handing out eclipse glasses around campus. <\/p>\n
Students may go to these locations on campus to safely watch the eclipse: Davey Laboratory rooftop observatory, The Arboretum at Penn State's H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens, along with Mount Nittany Middle School at 656 Brandywine Dr. in State College. <\/p>\n
At its peak, spectators will only be able to see a sliver or crescent part of the sun. However, in order to look up at the eclipse, it is necessary to wear the specific protective glasses to ensure no damage to one's eyes. <\/p>\n
The United States has not witnessed a total solar eclipse since 1979, 38 years ago. Astronomers everywhere have labeled todays eclipse to be a generational event. <\/p>\n
Because the eclipse will only be visible if skies are clear, the Astronomy & Astrophysics department will cancel the viewing events if the weather wares on the cloudy or overcast side, the department said in a news release. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Excerpt from:<\/p>\n
Astronomy and Astrophysics departments prepare Penn State ... - The Daily Collegian Online<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The common advice to children is do not stare into the sun. On Monday, the Penn State community and millions of others around the country will be doing exactly that, viewing a rare anomaly: a solar eclipse. Continue reading