The °µÍø½ûÇø Blog

Solar Eclipse Fosters Connection Among °µÍø½ûÇøs

For Anchal Bhatia ’24 MBA, the recent solar eclipse was a fun way to experience community at the University, while experiencing a sense of curiosity and wonder.

April 23, 2024

By Anchal Bhatia ’24 MBA


°µÍø½ûÇøs spent the afternoon outside observing the eclipse.
°µÍø½ûÇøs spent the afternoon outside observing the eclipse.
°µÍø½ûÇøs safely observe the solar eclipse.
°µÍø½ûÇøs safely observe the solar eclipse.

The 2024 Solar Eclipse earlier this month was an important event for residents of North America, as it was for the University of New Haven students. On Monday, April 8, the brought everyone together to watch the Solar Eclipse in the Bixler-Gerber Quad. This eventually turned into an ‘Eclipse Party’ for °µÍø½ûÇøs and a chance for everyone to break out from the cold weather into a more mild day with some clouds and partial sun.

Starting around 1:30 p.m., students began gathering in the residential quad, where they were ready to pick up their eclipse glasses and experience the Great North American Solar Eclipse with their friends, faculty, and staff! With more than 200 members on the quad at its peak, it was an exceptional view to see everyone enjoying the solar eclipse event, and anxiously waiting for the peak eclipse moment to take place.

The Astronomy Club also had a setup of a live eclipse tracker on the quad. Graduate and undergraduate students were seen spending time together at the quad with picnic setups while enjoying snacks and beverages that added to the eclipse party.

Students, faculty, and staff enjoyed the eclipse together.
Students, faculty, and staff enjoyed the eclipse together.

As a viewer myself, I was thrilled to see the enthusiasm of everyone who participated. It felt like a much-needed break as the cold weather faded from that day onwards, and it was wholesome to see so many of my friends, classmates, colleagues, and faculty gathered to enjoy the solar eclipse. It indeed is true – the total solar eclipse did bring everyone together!

Anchal Bhatia ’24 MBA is a candidate in the University’s MBA program.