Around the SUNY Oswego campus

At just before 3:22 p.m. on Monday, April 8, totality occurred over the SUNY Oswego campus as the moon completely blocked the sun for a total solar eclipse, casting the campus into shadow for nearly three and a half minutes. At a watch party behind Swetman Gym, the hundreds gathered cheered every time the sun poked out of the overcast day even briefly to provide a glimpse at the once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon.

Despite an overcast afternoon for the total solar eclipse on April 8, the obscured sun peeked through the clouds once in a while to offer a very rare sight.

As the totality of the eclipse casts a deep shadow across Central New York, bright skies outside its path can be seen in this view looking north over Lake Ontario.

The Laker women's softball team was among the hundreds of campus community members gathered at the Eclipse Viewing Party on Swetman Field.

Before the eclipse rolled in, the Division of Student Affairs hosted a viewing party on Swetman Field featuring recreation and craft opportunities as well as eclipse-themed cookies and free T-shirts. A large turnout enjoyed a spring day –- although the temperatures dropped significantly while the sun was in full shadow.

Throughout the day, the student-faculty National Eclipse Ballooning Project research teams launched balloons on the hour to measure atmospheric phenomena under rare conditions. The project, funded by NASA and the National Science Foundation, attracted interest from media outlets including NewsChannel 9, Spectrum News, WRVO and Syracuse.com.

SUNY Oswego President Peter O. Nwosu and Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy Shashi Kanbur greet Earl Bellinger, a 2012 SUNY Oswego graduate now teaching at Yale University. A former research mentee of Kanbur, Bellinger was one of a number of expert guest lecturers Kanbur invited to campus that day for the total solar eclipse in talks supported by the Shineman Endowed Fund.

Thomas Brown, a faculty member in the Chemistry Department, helps demonstrate to young visitors thermochromic color-changing coatings on various objects, which change color at different temperatures. This was one of many family-friendly science-based activities taking part in the Shineman Center both during the day of the eclipse (pictured) as well as STEM Community Day on April 6.

Ahkalia Williams, a senior physics major, helps youngsters experiment with a plasma ball in a Shineman Center physics lab as part of hands-on activities during the day of the eclipse.

Groups including the Syracuse Astronomical Society, Kopernik Observation Science Center, Pompey Observatory and others set up telescopes with video at Rice Creek Field Station leading into and during the eclipse.

Telescopes with video were set up at Rice Creek Field Station for visitors to view. Groups such as the Syracuse Astronomical Society, Kopernik Observation Science Center, Pompey Observatory and others coordinated this activity.

Visitors make artistic cyanotype photograms exposed to the sun during the Rice Creek Field Station Experience during the eclipse day.

The many fun science projects at Rice Creek Field Station for the eclipse included making pinhole viewers to safely view the eclipse.

Many alumni came back to view the eclipse and some – including 2012 graduate and Yale University professor Earl Bellinger – presented talks and participated in other ways. Here Bellinger takes photos of one of the weather balloon launches on Swetman Field as part of the National Eclipse Ballooning Project with Oswego students and faculty researchers.

Visitors traveled near and far to see the total solar eclipse on campus, and some even brought professional photography equipment to get the perfect shot, including a solar lens.

Eric Nemier, a 2012 SUNY Oswego alumnus, and his family returned to campus for the eclipse.

Furry friends were among the many visitors that came to see the eclipse on April 8.

Students show off their eclipse-themed tote bags they created at the Solar Eclipse Watch Party held north of Marano Campus Center on Swetman Field.

Students pose for a photo at the Solar Eclipse Watch Party before totality.

Students look up at the eclipse using their approved safety glasses.

Students on the public relations team in CMA 490: "Covering the Eclipse" class were among many on the set of their eclipse day broadcast for Oswego Now news. CMA 490 allowed students to gain hands-on experience with special events coverage. From left are class members Bailey Thomas, Sam Citerall, Faith Summerville and Sam Keaney.

Students and faculty members -- including these members of the Meteorology Club -- welcomed visitors to the Shineman Center and Rice Creek Field Station during STEM Community Day on April 6 in advance of the total solar eclipse. (Photo by Graceann Cleator)

The Doppler on Wheels was in town during the eclipse for research projects and was also open to the public during STEM Community Day on April 6. During its visit, the state-of-the-art mobile facility, run by the Center for Severe Weather, collected data, worked with meteorology classes and hosted opportunities for viewing by the public. (Photo by Graceann Cleator)