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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s first day of classes and the total solar eclipse coincide on Monday, Aug. 21. Classes will be held as scheduled. The solar event will begin at 11:50 a.m. and end at 2:44 p.m. with 99.5 percent totality occurring at 1:18 p.m.

Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to experience this scientific phenomenon during your mid-day break or by arranging a convenient time with your manager or supervisor. 

For the University community, telescope viewing locations will be at the Builders of the University Plaza, Ralph Korte Stadium and the Morris University Center patio, where a solar telescope will also be available. A live stream from the MUC telescope will be shown in the MUC Meridian Ballroom.

Eclipse viewing glasses will be distributed free of charge at each campus location. The Office of Student Affairs will provide free lemonade on the Stratton Quadrangle from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. as part of the annual welcome back to school event for students.

Each campus viewing location will display an enlarged, live video of the eclipse from the telescope. Professors from the SIUE Department of Physics will be on hand at each location, providing solar eclipse science and safety information.

The general public will be able to utilize the Korte Stadium location where an enlarged, live video of the eclipse from a solar telescope will be displayed on multiple large screens. The viewing tent will be on the north side of the stadium adjacent to the parking lot. The Morris University Center food truck will be available for food and refreshments.

For more information, visit siue.edu/eclipse.

Remember: Observing a solar eclipse is a remarkable experience when done safely. Never look at the sun without special eclipse eyewear. Standard sunglasses are not enough.