Students help others safely view eclipse

Hundreds of University of North Georgia (UNG) students and community members gathered on the Gen. William "Lipp" Livsey Drill Field on April 8 to take in a total solar eclipse, which will not occur again in the contiguous United States until 2044. The Dahlonega Campus did not fall in the path of totality, but the moon did cover about 85% of the sun.

In the midst of those enjoying the unusual occurrence, some student workers in the Department of Physics & Astronomy helped attendees view the eclipse safely by assisting with telescopes and passing out eclipse glasses.

Mateo Valera, a junior from Bladensburg, Maryland, pursuing a degree in physics with a concentration in astrophysics, was grateful to help students and community members witness the solar eclipse. Valera intends to go to graduate school and eventually become a professor.

"I love this so much," Valera said. "It's really nice to see other people so genuinely interested in it, as well."

Dr. Rose Procter, director of UNG's TRUIST Center Ethical Leadership, was among those on the Drill Field to view the eclipse.

"My 16-year-old daughter was released by the high school to experience the solar eclipse," Procter said. "What better place to do that than on the UNG Drill Field with Mom and a bunch of our amazing students, faculty and staff? We really enjoyed the moment."

Lydia Miller, a senior pursuing a degree in physics with a concentration in astrophysics, helped students and community members as they took in the eclipse.

"I really enjoyed that I was able to be able to tell people how to safely use these glasses and our pinhole boards, as well as using our telescopes and Sunspotters," Miller said. "It's a unique experience."