Eclipse Viewing Event

Solar eclipse event at Cal Poly — Students outside of Baker Center wear protective solar glasses to view directly at the eclipse. Photos by Joe Johnston

Students and others gathered on campus outside of the Warren J. Baker Center for Science and Mathematics for a partial eclipse viewing organized by Cal Poly Physics Department faculty, staff and students along with the Cal Poly Astronomical Society.

"While the eclipse was partial in San Luis Obispo, it was a total eclipse in a stripe across North America," said astronomy and physics Professor David Mitchell about the rare event. There will not be another total solar eclipse visible in the U.S. until 2044!"

Event organizers brought five solar telescopes with protective solar filters and solar glasses available for observers to safely see the eclipse. Also on hand were student-made displays to help explain the phenomenon.

The Cal Poly Astronomical Society is an on-campus student club organizing activities related to astronomy and is part of an expanding astronomy and astrophysics program in the Bailey College. Recent program developments include a growing cohort of research faculty, Scientist-In-Residence speaking events and the Astronomy Faculty Research Fellowship established by the Marrujo Foundation to support faculty mentorship of students through research and leading-edge, hands-on experiences.