Toggle Background Video Playback Campus & Beyond The Eclipse in Photos: Looking Up, from Two Campuses Stories You May Like Eclipse Tips from Big Red Astronomers A Visit to Fuertes Observatory, a Shining Star on East Hill Alum Is an Evangelist for the Wonders of National Parks—‘After Dark’ Hundreds in Ithaca and Geneva gathered to gaze at darkening (but sadly cloudy) skies and teasing glimpses of a waning sun By Joe Wilensky Upstate New York’s typically and persistently cloudy skies did not dampen enthusiasm for the April 8 total solar eclipse as Cornellians gathered at the University’s Ithaca and Geneva campuses. To mark the occasion and to give students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to witness the rare celestial event, Cornell paused classes, along with some outdoor activities, to coincide with peak eclipse-watching time in the mid-afternoon. Ithaca saw a partial eclipse (of nearly 99% magnitude)—but the AgriTech campus in Geneva, about 50 miles northwest, experienced a full eclipse, with totality lasting 2 minutes and 24 seconds. Nearing totality on the AgriTech campus in Geneva. In Ithaca, hundreds turned out for an Eclipse Extravaganza hosted by Student and Campus Life, with giveaways, snacks (including moon pies and “galaxy” mocktails), and music with a celestial theme. Libe Slope was crowded with excited onlookers—and while skies remained mostly overcast, occasional breaks in the darkening clouds allowed momentary views of the progressing eclipse. The AgriTech campus in Geneva experienced a full eclipse, with totality lasting 2 minutes and 24 seconds. Cheering erupted each time, as viewers rushed to grab their solar glasses for a safe glimpse. Meanwhile, four busloads of undergrads headed to AgriTech to watch from the path of totality, despite heavy cloud cover that moved in for the afternoon. (And in fact, so many Tompkins Country-area residents were on a similar quest northward that following the eclipse, some drivers endured a three-hour traffic jam on the road back to Ithaca.) Stories You May Like Eclipse Tips from Big Red Astronomers A Visit to Fuertes Observatory, a Shining Star on East Hill Students, staff, and faculty spread out on the lawn near AgriTech’s Food Venture Center and also watched YouTube livestreams projected on the side of an adjacent building. Only one narrow break in the clouds provided an all-too-brief view of the nearly eclipsed sun. But the overcast skies still darkened dramatically during totality—rapidly creating almost-nighttime conditions as the crowd erupted in gasps and applause. For just over two minutes, the most noticeable lights emanated from phone screens speckled throughout the gathering. “I love how dark it got,” said CALS student Kate Morgan ’27. “It was a beautiful experience. And I’m happy to have spent it with friends.” (Photos and video by Cornell University photographers Noël Heaney, Sreang Hok, and Joe Wilensky.) Published April 9, 2024 Comments Janet Wiebold, Class of 1970 10 Apr, 2024 This reminds me of a winter day in 1967/68 when the Northern Lights were visible in Ithaca. The dorms emptied and students lay flat in the snow to enjoy the view. Reply Leave a Comment Cancel replyOnce your comment is approved, your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Class Year Email * Save my name, email, and class year in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ Other stories You may like Quizzes & Puzzles Cornellian Crossword: ‘All Roads Lead to Ithaca’ Ask the Expert Hello, Mom and Dad: Is it Time to Sell the House? Students From Food Network to TikTok, Hotelie Is a Gen-Z Culinary Star