Lyon College is inviting the public to take a “front-row seat” for the April 8 Great American Eclipse with a viewing event entitled “Scots in the Dark” at the college’s Couch Garden on its Batesville campus.
“A total solar eclipse is a rare opportunity for us to witness the grandeur of our universe firsthand,” said 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 said it has planned a full day of activities and entertainment for eclipse enthusiasts of all ages.
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., there will be free activities in the “Family Zone,” including rocket assembly and eye-safety workshops by W.D. Bryan Professor of Biology and NASA Solar System Ambassador Dr. Dave Thomas.
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., there will also be an “Entertainment Zone” with food, beverages, and live music. Tickets for the entertainment zone are $25, including come-and-go access, food, beverages, and seating. Tickets are available for purchase by clicking here.
The Great American Eclipse is scheduled to begin around 12:36 p.m. local time. 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., and the eclipse will end at 3:13 p.m..
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.
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