2023-2024 Eclipse Events and Resources
We hope you’ll join us for the Eclipse Extravaganza at the Lafayette County & Oxford Public Library on April 6, 2024 from 10:00 a.m.to 2:00 p.m.! Check out more information below along with other eclipse-related resources and at-home activities.
In partnership with the Lafayette County & Oxford Public Library and the National Science Teacher Association (NSTA), the Center for Mathematics and Science Education is hosting an Eclipse Extravaganza on April 6, 2024. This event is free and open to the public. There will be eclipse-related activities for children and adults of all ages! Come check out our mobile planetarium, solar telescope, and more!
Location:
Lafayette County & Oxford Public Library
401 Bramlett Blvd.
Oxford, MS 38655
Time:
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Cost:
Free and open to the public
On October 14, 2023, an annular solar eclipse will cross North, Central, and South America. In Mississippi, we will be able to view this annual solar eclipse at its maximum at 12:02 p.m. Central Time. An annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Sun and Earth while at its farthest point from Earth. Because the Moon is farther away from Earth, it does not completely block the Sun. This will create a “ring of fire” effect in the sky for those standing directly in the path. On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North and Central America creating a path of totality. During a total solar eclipse, the Moon completely blocks the Sun while it passes between the Sun and Earth. The sky will darken as the moon passes in front of the Sun. You may even see the “corona” if you are standing in the path of totality. The corona is the Sun’s outer atmosphere.
The only safe way to look directly at the sun or a partially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters. Be sure you are using eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer to look at the eclipse. Check out our resources tab to see how you can make a solar eclipse viewer at home!
Learn how to safely view a solar eclipse.
Check out some of our resources below to learn more about our Sun, Moon, eclipses, and activities you can do at home!
Sun-Related Resources
Construct a pocket sized sundial using this cut-out and a piece of string.
Relative brightness of the Sun
The Sun looks really bright, but it is just an average star. There are many stars that are bigger and brighter, and there are many stars that are dimmer and smaller. In this activity, you can use your smartphone to experiment with distance and light intensity. *Phyphox light intensity sensor may not work for some iOS users. You may need to use an alternate app such as LightMeter LM-3000.
Trap the Sun’s heat in your homemade solar oven. Delicious recipes included
The Sun doesn’t always set in the same place every evening. Through this activity, you can identify the relationship between the seasons, the amount of daylight, and the location of the setting Sun.
Scale model of the Sun and the Earth
The Sun can seem really big in our sky, and its brightness can make us overestimate how close the Earth and the Sun are. Use this activity to discover the true distance between the Earth and the Sun.
Did you know that you can see sunspots with a normal telescope or a pair of binoculars? Do you want to replicate one of Galileo’s famous experiments? Find out how here! Animation of Galileo’s sunspot drawings
Certain chemicals in tonic water are sensitive to ultraviolet radiation. Learn how to make a UV detector with tonic water here!
Why is the sky blue but the sunset is red?
Ever wondered why this is the case? This activity used a clear tub of water, milk, and a flashlight to show how light gets scattered through our atmosphere.
Moon-Related Resources
Investigate the relationship between the size, weight, and velocity and the size of craters on the lunar surface.
Why does the moon have phases? This difficult-to-understand phenomenon has a simple answer. Find out through the power of modeling the Sun-Earth-Moon relationship.
If you’d rather see a simulation as opposed to a hands-on model, here is a great simulation of lunar phases from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.
Print and cut this lunar phase calendar to keep track of the lunar phases all year long!
Eclipse-Related Resources
Don’t throw your glasses away! Keep them safe between the October and April solar eclipses.
How to Make a Solar Eclipse Viewer at Home
Why Don’t We Have an Eclipse Every Month?
This video and activity explores the relationship between the Moon’s orbit and the ecliptic plane on a larger scale than the eclipse cup and hula hoop activities.
Why don’t solar eclipses happen every new moon? This activity helps you visualize how the ecliptic plane and the lunar orbit determine why and when eclipses occur.
Modeling Eclipses with Hula Hoops
Similar to the “Eclipse in a Cup” activity, you can use hula hoops to see how the Moon’s tilted orbit allows for eclipses only twice per year.
The moon is the perfect size and distance from the Earth to allow for eclipses. You may also be interested in this video from NASA of a solar eclipse on Mars
How can the Little Moon hide the Giant Sun?
Learn about the coincidence of eclipses on Earth through the power of modeling.
Other Resources
Solar Eclipses Upcoming Worldwide
See the location and type of every eclipse for the next 10 years.
What will the Eclipse look like for me?
Enter your location and click on the October 14, 2023 eclipse to see what it will look like from your location.
Sunrise and sunset times are easy to find, but did you know moonrise and moonset times are too? Find them here.
Live stream the upcoming eclipses from an area of annularity or totality.
Eclipse Flyovers Simulations and Maps
Visit this site to fly over the areas of the upcoming eclipses as well as find useful maps for planning your eclipse experience.
On October 14, 2023 some areas will experience an annular solar eclipse. April 8, 2024 will bring a total solar eclipse. In Mississippi, we will experience partial eclipses on both days. What’s the difference?
Enter your location and see what the eclipses will look like for you.
Solar Eclipse Glasses
If you choose to buy solar eclipse glasses, they should be rated for standard ISO 12312-2.
Examples of companies selling these glasses are: