Letters to Spring 2024 Eclipse Course Students -- and Beyond!

STUDENT 1:

I went to exactly one solar eclipse on August 21st 2017. It was a picnic of hundreds
of families in a field in eastern Kentucky. The Amish were selling goods and watermelon.
Family  and I all got in the same vehicle and went.  The weather wasn't too hot, and
the waiting was full  of making silly little slit boxes and board  games. When the event was
imminent, the entire crowd  got into the mood and we all started  cheering for the moon. 
"Go moon, go moon!" Even though I would say over half the crowd were adults.

It finally happened, and the crowd went quiet. As if an entire field of people had entered a
library. The crickets and other insects were confused by the light and temperature difference
 and thought it was time to sing. I was in awe. This astronomical event is the only event that made
 me feel, not just know, that I am on a planet that rotates. That there is a moon that
spins round it,  and that our Earth revolves around the sun. And they can line up just
right and block that very  sun. That fiery ball one has to cover up with a hand because
it is so huge and brilliant you can't look at it without harm to your eyes. My words don't really
hold a candle to the feelings that evoked in me. And I imagine, with the murmuring of the
crowd, that we were all feeling that. A feeling of smallness and understanding of our place
in the universe. I shared that moment with thousands of strangers on a warm day in a field.

During this class, I got to see recordings of other people at solar eclipses and their commentary.
I realized that the feeling I had during that solar eclipse was universal, across countries and spanned
through the millenia. That’s how awe inspiring such an event can feel. I felt even more connected
to this experience after learning that. Leaders of a distant past were affected by solar eclipses
enough to crown kings and end wars. Music, poetry, movie scripts, and novels were written with
this event as their cornerstone. The challenges of solar eclipse photography and the collaboration of
thousands of enthusiasts to get more information everytime one happens was also heartening to realize existed.

I took this class because I wanted to spend time with other people who found the world, and
specifically the phenomena of a solar eclipse, fascinating. Professor Williger is absolutely one
such person and it was a joy to learn from someone so excited about the subject.  To do well on
the quizzes, review the powerpoint slides before taking them. Regarding the 2024 and 2045
Solar Eclipse– I hope to see you there. :) This umbraphile is definitely going to both, life willing.

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STUDENT 2:

Dear future students,

Eclipses are an unequivocally grand showcase of cosmic grace. In this course, you will
evaluate the scientific as well as human side of the events, understanding both the dedicated
research and cultural development that have come from eclipses. Doing well in the course does
imply doing the quizzes and observations laid out in the material; however, it also requires an
appreciation for the humbling beauty of both the scientific craft and natural art gained from
eclipse observations.

During the time of this course, some of you may have a chance to see the last total solar
eclipse within a drivable distance of Louisville till the year 2045. This opportunity is rare and
inspiring. Seeing the eclipse will not only benefit your studies within this course but will also
display an image of grandeur that cannot be recreated.

Sincerely,

A fall 2023 student

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STUDENT 3:

Current physics 195 student,

Hello from the Fall 2023 physics 195 class! I’m glad you chose to enroll in this
course. There is so much you will learn about eclipses and it isn’t all complicated
physics. Yes, some of it involves the mechanics of physical motion but you’ll also learn
about the impact of eclipses on humanity, eclipses’ artistic influence, and how you can
interact with the eclipse in April. So strap in for a fun time and don’t forget to ask
questions if you have them!

Firstly and most importantly, the eclipse on April 8th will be close by and truly a
sight to beyond even if you can’t get to totality. The key to having the best April 8th is to
be prepared. If you are going to see totality, be ready to move because clouds exist. If
you can’t travel, be ready with a pinhole camera or other device to capture the coolness
that is an almost-total eclipse (we get 99.3% here in Louisville). Also, if you travel, be
ready for the WORST traffic you have ever seen in your life. Get gas before the eclipse.
There is one easy trick to making sure you get the most out of this course. Pay
attention during lecture and ask questions if you have them. There are some quizzes
that pull directly from the lecture as well as discussion boards every so often. The
discussion boards require only that you are open and honest. There are no “correct”
answers in the boards, just make sure you post them on time and answer the questions
fully. Also, be ready for an assignment around the eclipse on April 8th! It’s the main
event of the astronomical year after all. This course is supposed to be interesting and
engaging. If you engage with the content, the professor, and your classmates, you’ll
have a great time!

In short, be ready for a good time. You signed up for this course ostensibly
because you are interested in eclipses. Take the time to enjoy learning some new and
fun information and you’ll enjoy the experience. This course is like baking: what you get
out of it depends on what you put into it. If you put in effort and engagement, you’ll get
wonder and awe out of it.

Sincerely,

A fall 2023 physics 195 student

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STUDENT 4:

Dear Spring 2024 Class,

Why should you be interested in eclipses and transits?
A lot of useful information can be learned from observing them. In fact, more can be learned
from eclipses from observations from earth than from space, and you can even be a part of it, if
you’d like, as a citizen scientist. Total eclipses especially are very awe-inspiring, beautiful and
cool to experience. They turn the day to night, so that even stars become visible! And next April
8, you will have a chance to enjoy the experience of one, the corona, diamond ring effect and
more. And, it will last for almost twice as long as the 2017 total eclipse which came close to
Louisville, a full 4 minutes and 27 seconds! Don’t be like me and settle for only hearing stories of
excitement and awe and seeing the magnificent pictures on the iPhones of those returning from
the path of totality. I beseech you, go to the path of totality in April, if possible! It will be as
close as western Kentucky and southern Indiana. Even better, go as far south in the path of
totality as possible, where there is less chance of clouds. If you must stay here in Louisville, be
sure to get outside and enjoy the 99.3 % coverage, with glasses of course, and encourage
friends, family and co-workers to join you! It won’t disappoint.

To view the eclipse, buy glasses, mylar sheets and any photographing equipment as early as
possible, and buy extra glasses to share if you can. I also recommend following the professor’s
advice to practice taking pictures of the moon beforehand. It will help avoid frustration and
preoccupation with picture taking, so you can be relaxed and enjoy! As it gets closer, check the
weather and time of eclipse for your location and allow for heavy traffic. Have plenty of gas in
the tank and be prepared to move to an uncloudy location if necessary. During the eclipse, use
your five senses to observe what’s going on around you. Look for crescent shadows from trees
and on different objects like buildings and cars, notice animal behaviors, sounds and how others
around you are reacting, and share your experience with others! I would also take time that
same day to write down your reflections and observations, but above all be creative and enjoy!

To do well in the class, I would recommend taking the quizzes soon after they are posted, as
there’s lots of good information to absorb. Use the slides to help answer the questions and refer
to the recordings if needed. I also found it helpful at times to look certain things up online for
quick answers and for further reading, and to visually track the location and movement of the
stars, sun and moon in the sky from day to day. Don’t’ be afraid to ask questions, even if you’re
unsure they are good questions, and try to find understanding and meaning that is personal to
your own interests. Also, take note of what you could share with your family and friends, to
enhance everyone’s viewing experience and spur conversation and interactive fun.
Don’t miss it! And spread the enthusiasm for the next closest total eclipse in Memphis,
Tennessee in 2045!

A Former Student

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STUDENT 5:

Dear Students,

Welcome to Phys 195! Hopefully you are as excited to learn about and see the April
eclipse as I am. In this course, you will learn about how eclipses work, both solar and lunar,
obviously, but you will also get to see how solar eclipses have been portrayed in the media, and
how human perception of them has changed over the years. All of this will help you to appreciate
the upcoming solar eclipse much more. After having seen livestream footage of the annular solar
eclipse this past October, I understand how impactful seeing an eclipse can be on spectators.
Louisville is right off the path of totality, making seeing the total eclipse a good day trip.

This course in itself is not meant to be a big stressor in your life. That being said, there
are a few things that you should focus on to make sure that this is a GPA boost, not a liability or
detriment to your mental health. For one thing, the lectures are packed with interesting
information, so downloading and going through the links on your own time is extremely helpful
for building that deep connection with the material. And, asking questions is not only welcomed,
but encouraged! No question is a stupid question; everyone is coming from a different spot and
learning is a collaborative experience.

I hope you enjoy this course as much as I did, and I wish you the best of luck in your
viewings of the eclipse!

Sincerely,

An autumn 2023 eclipse course student

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STUDENT 6:

Dear Curious Mind,

You should be excited about the class you’ve enrolled in, and the opportunity ahead of you. You
are among the lucky few that will be able to see a full total eclipse in their lifetime with little travel or
effort on your part. I was very lucky to have experienced the last full eclipse over North America in
2017, and I had to travel hours south to Tennessee. I can tell you that it is an awe-inspiring experience
that lets you feel the power of nature, as well as the emotion of others around you. It was and
experience that I will never forget, and one that has given me an even greater desire to attend the next,
even closer event with more of my family and friends. The April 8 path of totality will come within about
30 miles of Louisville, and will be the last event within a day’s drive for decades to come.

This class is an excellent opportunity to learn about eclipses. You will learn how they work, why
they are important to science and research, and how the principals learned can help us learn so much
more about the universe around us. You will also learn how eclipses have played a role in shaping
human society, and how they have been interpreted by generations. If you attend class, and do the
simple assignments, you are almost certain to make a good grade, but the grade is not the reason for
attending the class. The real reason is to gain an appreciation for April’s phenomenon, and to learn how
to be best prepared to see and experience it in all its glory. Learn how to view, photograph and
understand the event, and even how to navigate traffic and logistics to make sure you are in the right
place at the right time.

April 8, 2024 will be a don’t miss for our region. You can be one of the few that can be truly
ready for it!

Happy Viewing,

A University of Louisville Student

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STUDENT 7:

Dear Future Astro 195 Student,

A solar eclipse is the most exhilarating astronomical event that you can witness. Timescales in
astronomy tend to be unthinkable, but a solar eclipse is something that can be viewed once or
twice in one’s life, if reasonably lucky. Viewing with a group of people is another amazing
aspect. You feel a great sense of connection between everyone involved. Everyone will be
looking to the sky in unison and staring with amazement at the beauty of the universe unfolding
in real time. Being close to totality sounds like a good deal, but it does not do any form of justice
to the main show. Try your absolute best to reach totality, even just the edge. It is something you
will never forget.

Doing “well” in Astro 195 should not be a concern. The class’s main priority is to teach about
eclipses over a range of topics. There will be discussion boards used to probe your thoughts and
ideas. They are short and easy. So are the quizzes, which are online and only 10 questions each.
Utilizing the slideshows to help with the questions is encouraged. There will also be a letter
assignment just like this, which is meant to reassure, encourage, and inspire. Most importantly,
viewing the total solar eclipse will be the main assignment. Whether it is by going to totality or
viewing via a livestream, full credit is awarded. However, the greatest experience you can have is
by traveling to totality. I hope you obtain a sense of connection to the universe and your fellow
Earthlings!

Sincerely,
Astro 195 Student of Fall 2023

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STUDENT 8:

Dear Future Students,

    This may seem strange or possibly a bit cliché but I’m writing
this letter to help you do well in this class. Whether you’re taking
this class for fun or to fulfill your credit hours I feel that there
is something that can be gained from this class for everyone.

    To start off, the class is really fun, the eclipse is a special
phenomenon, and you should do everything you can to see it when
possible, within reason of course. I, as of writing this letter,
haven’t had the chance to see a total eclipse and the eclipses
I’ve seen have been while I was young. For the most recent eclipse
on October 14th, 2023, the weather was unfortunately not great and the
sky was cloudy long before and long after the eclipse happened so I
had to watch it from home via NASA livestream, even then it was a
great experience with people cheering and there being a nice countdown
for it. I recommend that if you can, you should see the eclipse on
April 8th, 2024, it’s close, it’s at a perfect time and will be
the last chance most people will have for quite a while, I would
recommend taking a quick trip to Indiana, maybe even making a day out
of it and waiting for the traffic to die down before coming home.

    As for the class, there are a few things I would recommend. Take good
notes, the lectures will be available so it shouldn’t be hard to go
back for information you might need, make sure to take the test as
many times as needed to get a perfect score, and ask questions, if
need be. By the end of it, you’ll hopefully have learned a lot and
will be writing a letter not unlike this one for the people who will
be seeing the eclipse around Louisville in 2045, quite a long way away
huh? If you do those things, doing well in the class shouldn’t be
difficult at all, maybe you’ll even have a good time doing it. So do
your best, and have a great time!

Sincerely,
A former student

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STUDENT 9:

There are several really great reasons why you should take interest in eclipses, especially
in the next year. First and foremost, there is a total eclipse that will transit through the area next
April. Totality will pass through Southern Indiana, about 30-45 minutes away. For most of us,
these are once in a lifetime events, something that we will remember for the rest of our lives. I
will be there with my family and kids, and you should go too. You get to witness the freaking
MOON block out the freaking SUN. The sky will go from midday brightness to the darkness
around sunset within minutes, and all the animals around will go quiet. You will be able to see
the corona (the Sun’s atmosphere that we normally cannot see) as it juts out from behind the
moon in multiple directions. The experience you will have with whoever you bring, as well as
the community that will be with you, will be amazing.

One thing that I know that is pretty standard for succeeding in class but really will help for this
one, is just show up and show interest. It is really a very interesting class and its not intimidating
or daunting in any way, the way you might think a physics class would be. The material is
presented in a way that is entertaining and easy to digest. The assignments are all designed to
only ask questions from the materials presented in class.

A former student