The community is invited to watch the total solar eclipse with College of the Desert on April 8, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Palm Desert Campus Science Building. The School of Mathematics and Science will be hosting the event and providing solar viewers for attendees to catch the spectacular moments when the moon is positioned between the sun and Earth.
Although California is not one of the 13 states located within the 115-mile path of totality, the Great American Eclipse will be stunning across the country. A similar eclipse occurred in 2017, but according to NASA, a total solar eclipse will not happen again until August 23, 2044.
“A solar eclipse is a rare astronomical event that is worth pausing for,” said Michael Silveira, Dean of Math and Science. “We are excited to hold this event for our students and the community because it helps bring education out of the classroom and into the real world. Watching an event like this makes you wonder about the natural world and inspires curiosity.”
COD’s STEM faculty will be present at the event to answer any questions and share information about the eclipse. Counselors will also be available to speak to community members about programs at COD.
Eclipse viewers are encouraged to use special eye protection when watching the eclipse. Eye damage can occur when looking at the sun before or after the totality of the eclipse.
College of the Desert is passionate about sculpting minds for bright futures, evidenced by their being named recipient of several NASA grants over the last five years. This funding is used by COD’s STEM programs to afford students a pathway to aerospace careers who might not have otherwise had an opportunity.
To learn more about College of the Desert’s eclipse event or learn more about COD’s STEM programs, please visit www.collegeofthedesert.edu
