Libraries Celebrates Eclipse April 8, 2024
Like most of the Syracuse University campus, and the Central New York region overall, Syracuse University Libraries has activities planned to celebrate the once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse event happening on the afternoon of Monday, April 8, 2024.
The Libraries has secured a device that turns light into sound, to add an auditory experience to the eclipse watch parties which can be shared by everyone, including community members who are blind or visually impaired. As featured on NPR and on Meet The ‘Eclipse Ear’ That Will Turn Totality Into Tones On April 8 (forbes.com), the device was received from Harvard’s Astrolab. They gave away 900 of them, along with directions on how to make the device for those able to secure the parts.
In order for as many people as possible to experience the sounds of the eclipse, the Physics Department of the College of Arts and Sciences is hosting the Libraries on the Shaw Quadrangle on Monday, April 8 from 2 to 4 p.m. Speakers, provided by the University’s Information Technology Department, will project the sound from the device.
In addition to the LightSound device, the Libraries will be giving out University-branded eclipse glasses, while supplies last, at the Information Desk at Bird Library (limit one per person). The Libraries has also shared a blog post titled, “NASA Needs Your Help for the April 8, 2024 Solar Eclipse,” that promotes NASA’s SunSkechers program.
Please note that the Service Desk at the Libraries will be closed from 3 to 3:30 pm on Monday, April 8, so that Libraries staff can also view this monumental moment.