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BW crowd cheers rare sight of the moon stealing the sun's spotlight

With a prime location in the path of totality, Baldwin Wallace University hosted a total solar eclipse watch event complete with a cosmic playlist, moon pies and Yellow Jacket viewing glasses.

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Baldwin Wallace University's Finnie Stadium played host to a total solar eclipse watch party that drew hundreds for the rare, heavenly event that brought stars out during the day.

With warm 70-degree temperatures and just a few wispy clouds floating by, Mother Nature put on an epic sky show that drew cheers as day turned to night at 3:15 p.m.

Only a thin outline of the corona was left shimmering around the totally eclipsed sun for about four minutes, as stars were visible above automatic streetlights that auto-illuminated in the darkness.

Moon pies and "Moonshadow"

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BW offered free eclipse glasses to safely view the eclipse during partial stages, and BW Burrell Observatory director Gary Kader narrated how the sky show would unfold with the help of Finnie scoreboard illustrations, an idea The Sandusky Register called "inspired."

Members of the Cuyahoga Astronomical Association set up telescopes that reflected the path of the moon across the sun as it took an increasingly larger bite out of the glowing ball that is the center of our solar system.

The concession stand featured moon pies alongside hot dogs and nachos, and a music playlist paid homage to the moon and sun, including Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart," The Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun" and Cat Stephens' "Moonshadow."

The event was part of BW's "Voices of Discovery" lecture series.

Eclipse Gallery

  • Students with solar viewing glasses
  • Family viewing eclipse
  • Women's Lacrosse team at eclipse event
  • Women's Lacrosse team at eclipse event
  • Solar eclipse event at BW Finnie Stadium
  • Trio of BW students in eclipse glasses
  • Eclipse in darkness
  • Totality
  • Students standing
  • Viewing eclipse
  • Eclipse event concessions
  • Eclipse event concessions

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