Description

Lyon College extends an invitation to the public to take a front-row seat for a Great American Eclipse viewing event, Scots in the Dark, on Monday, April 8, at Couch Garden on the Lyon College campus, 2300 Highland Road, Batesville.

"A total solar eclipse is a rare opportunity for us to witness the grandeur of our universe firsthand," says Randy Patterson, Scots in the Dark event chair and director of institutional research at Lyon College. "It's a moment of awe and wonder that transcends words, and we are thrilled to host this event at Lyon College, providing a unique opportunity for our community to come together and experience the beauty of nature."

To help attendees make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime experience, Lyon College has planned a full day of activities and entertainment for eclipseenthusiasts of all ages. From educational exhibits and rocket launches to a smartphone photography workshop and live music, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

"The safety of our students, faculty, staff and community is our top priority," emphasized Patterson. "We urge everyone to stay off the roads during and immediately following the eclipse to ensure a positive experience for all."

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lyon College will host free activities in the family zone, including rocket-assembly and eye-safety workshops, cyanotype demonstrations, archaeoastronomy and astrophotography exhibits, introduction to celestial mechanics for beginners and a kids’ zone with eclipse-related educational activities.

At 12:20 p.m. there will be a free smartphone eclipse photo workshop in the Dr. Mark Schram Memorial Outdoor Classroom taught by Lyon College senior Blayne Griffin. Participants will learn how to take photos safely with their smartphones.

From 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Lyon College will host an entertainment zone with food, beverages and live music. Tickets for the entertainment zone are $25 and include come-and-go access, food, beverages and seating. Tickets are available for purchase at https://advance.lyon.edu/event/total-eclipse/e561091.

The Great American Eclipse is scheduled to begin around 12:36 p.m. CDT.

Batesville is set to experience totality at 1:53 p.m. CDT, offering a prime viewing location for the event.

Totality is scheduled to end at approximately 1:57 p.m. CDT, and the eclipse will end at 3:13 p.m. CDT.

Rockets created earlier in the day will be launched at the conclusion of totality.

For more information and updates on Scots in the Dark, visit Lyon College's website at Lyon.edu/eclipse or contact Pam Palermo, director of institutional events, at Pamela.Palermo@lyon.edu.