Plymouth State University Total Eclipse Activities and Resources

The Great North American Solar Eclipse of 2024 happened on Monday, April 8, 2024 and New Hampshire was in the path of totality for the first time in a generation!

Plymouth State University faculty and students gave presentations and conducted research on the eclipse, and viewed this rare event on campus and at locations throughout the state.

Watch this short video to learn what happened on April 8 and how Plymouth State's nationwide Eclipse Ballooning Project was involved!

Check out the full schedule of PSU Solar Eclipse activities, news, and resources below.

Solar Eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024

The eclipse was be visible throughout the state of New Hampshire. In fact, all 50 US states (excluding most of Alaska) experienced at least a partial solar eclipse, as did most of Canada, all of Mexico, and all countries in Central America.

Public Presentations

Great North American Solar Eclipse of 2024 Public Presentations and Q&A with Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy Brad Moser

Moser presented on the phenomenon of eclipses, their causes, safe observation methods, and prime viewing locations at various locations throughout New Hampshire (schedule below). He also discussed Plymouth State University’s role in the NASA-funded Nationwide Eclipse Ballooning Project, which involved faculty and students launching 60 weather balloons – one every 30 minutes – in Pittsburg, NH, to measure the atmospheric shifts caused by the shadow of the moon.

March 26, 2024, at Minot-Sleeper Library, Bristol, NH
March 30, at Holderness Free Library, Holderness, NH
March 28, The Great American Eclipse of 2024 – Free public program at PSU’s Silver Center for the Arts. Plymouth State University Physics and Astronomy Professor and Planetarium Director Brad Moser presented "The Great American Eclipse of 2024," where he discussed the basics of eclipse science, Plymouth State's involvement with the Nationwide Eclipse Ballooning Project, and the experiments they will conduct during the eclipse in Pittsburg, NH. View presentation video.
April 2, at Puritan Backroom, Manchester, NH (PSU Alumni Event that is open to the general public)
April 7, Lancaster Motel, Lancaster, NH (free event).

All presentations were open to the public, and all are free with the exception of the April 2 alumni event. All attendees received a pair of eclipse viewing glasses.

NASA Nationwide Ballooning Project, Pittsburg Elementary School

Sunday, April 7, at 2 p.m., through Monday, April 8, at 7:30 p.m.
Balloons were launched every 30 minutes

Eclipse PowerPoint Presentation by Professor Brad Moser, PhD

Protect Your Eyes

During a partial or total solar eclipse, looking directly at the Sun without proper eye protection is unsafe EXCEPT during the brief total eclipse phase (“totality”). This happens ONLY within the narrow path of totality. At all other times, it is safe to look directly at the Sun ONLY through special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses.”

All of NH except for Coös County was OUTSIDE the path of totality.

Instructions for Safe Use of Solar Filters and Viewers

Stand still and cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses before looking at the bright Sun. After looking at the Sun, turn away and remove your filter – do not remove it while looking at the Sun.
Do not look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed Sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or other optical device. Do not do so even while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer in front of your eyes – the concentrated solar rays could damage the filter and enter your eyes, causing serious injury.

Always inspect your solar filter before use; if scratched, punctured, torn, or otherwise damaged, discard it.
Always supervise children using solar filters.
If you normally wear eyeglasses, keep them on. Put your eclipse glasses over them.