Vol State is hosting a total eclipse watching family educational event on August 21. It is a week before classes start. Up to a million people are expected to travel to Middle Tennessee to watch the total eclipse. It's a narrow path for viewing the totality and the best spot in our area is Gallatin. Faculty and staff don't need to register at the link below. Members of the public will need to register, but it's just for a count. Tickets will not be needed and the event will be first come, first served.
We're very excited to announce a special guest presenting that day: Todd May, the Director of the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.
Here are the details thus far:
Total Eclipse
2017
On August 21, 2017 there will be a
total solar eclipse on a narrow path across the United States. A
total solar eclipse occurs when the new Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth.
The event creates fascinating lighting and allows viewers to see the
corona of the Sun.
Gallatin, Tennessee will be one of
the best spots in the country to view the total eclipse with totality lasting
two minutes and forty seconds. Eclipse viewing in the area will be from noon-3
p.m. Totality will occur at 1:27 p.m.
Of course, viewing is dependent on
the weather. Overcast skies may make eclipse viewing marginal.
Watch the 2017 Total Eclipse with Us
Volunteer State Community College
is hosting a free eclipse watching event on our campus in Gallatin from 10 a.m.
to 3 p.m. It is open to everyone. We will have educational presentations, live
video viewing of the eclipse in other parts of the country, live narration
during the totality, and fun science exhibits for kids and adults. The
activities will be held both outside and in air-conditioned buildings.
While there will be limited
outdoor seating, attendees should be prepared to sit on the lawn. People are
encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs. There will be room for picnicking.
We will also have food and beverages for sale. The campus has plenty of
bathrooms and heat relief zones (seating areas) in many buildings.
Parking is also free. Buses and
RV's are welcome, but there will be no overnight parking, before or after the
event. Parking lots open at 8 a.m. Once the lots are full, the campus will be
closed to new entrants. Entry is first come, first served. The campus will
close at 6pm on the day of the Eclipse. No alcohol will be allowed in vehicles
or on campus. There is no smoking on campus. This is designed as a family
event.
We need to have an idea of how
many people will be attending. We have set-up an Eventbrite registration webpage. We ask that people register on that
page and let us know how many people will be attending in their group. The
ticket that is emailed back to each person signing-up does not guarantee
admission. Admission will be first-come, first-served. You don’t need to bring
the ticket to the event. The registration is simply for our count of attendees.
If you have questions you can
email pr@volstate.edu or call
615-230-3571.
General Information
Parking lots open to the public at
8 a.m.
The event will run from 10 a.m. to
3 p.m.
Totality at 1:27 p.m.
The campus closes to the public at
6 p.m.
Most events will be on and around
the Thigpen Library lawn
Food and drinks will be available
for purchase at the Vol State Café in the Wood Campus Center. They open
at 8 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. It is fine for people to bring in outside food
and beverages. Alcohol is not allowed on campus.