On April 8, Rochester and other cities across the United States will witness the marvel of cosmic happenstance that is the total solar eclipse. It hasn’t happened in Rochester since 1925, and it won’t happen again until 2144. By intertwining scientific understanding with historical insights, University of Rochester Professor of Physics and Astronomy Dan Watson and Professor of History Laura Ackerman Smoller will discuss the enduring fascination with solar eclipses across time and disciplines.

Professor Watson will describe how eclipses work, the influence of eclipses on science, and safe viewing of this eclipse. Professor Smoller will explore medieval teachings about eclipses with many illustrations drawn from materials in Rush Rhees Library’s Rare Books and Special Collections.

While this event is complimentary, advance registration is requested.

Special thanks to the speakers and moderator, Nicole Sampson, the Robert L. and Mary L. Sproull Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.

(University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)