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Astronomy Talk on Eclipses Available from WSC

Published Friday, September 29th, 2023

Annular solar eclipse
An image of an annular eclipse, which will pass through the western half of the United States on Oct. 14.

Dr. Todd Young is offering a talk on solar eclipses to groups and organizations. An annular solar eclipse will be visible in the U.S. on Oct. 14, and a total eclipse will be visible April 8, 2024.

With solar eclipses occurring this fall and next spring, Dr. Todd Young, professor of physics and astronomy and planetarium director at Wayne State College, is offering a talk to educate various groups on the science of solar eclipses.

An annular solar eclipse will pass through the western half of the United States on Oct. 14, and a total solar eclipse will pass through the eastern half of the United States on April 8, 2024. An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is farthest from the Earth, so the Sun is not completely blocked from view, while a total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is closer to Earth and completely blocks the Sun.

Situated in the middle of the United States, the Siouxland region will have the advantage of enjoying both eclipses. In his talk, Young will discuss various mythologies associated with solar eclipses (such as the imagery of a dragon eating the sun), the astronomy behind solar eclipses, when the eclipses can be enjoyed in the Siouxland region, and how to safely view the solar eclipse. This talk can be adapted for any audience, and proper glasses to safely observe the eclipses will be available for purchase.

Those interested in having Young present this talk to a group or organization should contact him directly at [email protected] or 402-375-7471.

About Dr. Todd Young

Dr. Todd Young is a professor of physics and astronomy at Wayne State College. He is also the director of the Fred G. Dale Planetarium and the coordinator of the Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP).

Young's research and teaching interests include RR Lyrae variable stars, globular clusters outside the disk of our galaxy, and astronomy education in a planetarium. He received the George Rebensdorf Teaching Excellence Award in 2008 and the Nebraska Academy of Science's highest award, the Friend of Science Award, in 2017.

Young has taught at Wayne State for 25 years.