Franklin College Celebrates Once-in-a-Lifetime Solar Eclipse with Interactive Lecture

On Thursday, April 4, Franklin College invites guests of all ages to campus to enjoy “The Exceptional Totality of 2024: A Once in a Lifetime Celestial Marvel,” an enlightening evening with Franklin College Associate Professor of Physics Arbin Thapaliya, Ph.D. Thapaliya will educate guests with an overview of the total solar eclipse scheduled to take place on Monday, April 8.

The enlightening evening will begin at 6 p.m. with appetizers provided in the Johnson Atrium of the Napolitan Student Center. At 6:30 p.m., guests are invited to convene to the second-floor Branigin Room for the lecture by Thapaliya.  The evening will provide the opportunity for guests to participate in space demonstrations and virtual reality experiences, as well as use solar telescopes. Thapaliya will also provide interesting facts, dispel misconceptions and pose questions to guests regarding the upcoming eclipse. Guests will also learn information regarding the impact of weather conditions on an eclipse and ways to maximize the totality time of the eclipse.

“Come prepared to dance and learn a few eclipse moves with me as fun ways to not only understand eclipses but also some other space phenomena,” said Thapaliya. “I know you all are prepared for this eclipse day, but I promise there will be something new for you in this lecture that you still haven't thought about."

The event is free and open to the public, but space is limited and requires registration. To register, visit www.alumni.FranklinCollege.edu/e/eclipse.

Thapaliya joined the Franklin College faculty in 2016. He received his undergraduate degrees from Tribhuvan University in Kirtipur, Nepal before earning his master’s and doctoral degrees from Ohio University.

For more information, contact the Franklin College Office of Communications at (317) 738-8185.

Founded in 1834, Franklin College is a residential liberal arts and sciences institution located 20 minutes south of Indianapolis. Franklin offers a wide array of undergraduate majors as well as master’s degree programs in Physician Assistant Studies and Athletic Training. The unique curriculum merges classroom instruction with immersive experiences, research opportunities and study away programs. Students participate in 21 NCAA Division III sports, esports, Greek life, musical and theatre productions and more than 40 student organizations. As the first college in Indiana to become coeducational with the admission of women, Franklin welcomes diversity of thought, belief and person into a community that values equity and inclusion. Franklin College maintains a voluntary association with the American Baptist Churches USA. For more information, visit www.FranklinCollege.edu. Find Franklin College on Facebook, follow @FranklinCollege on X (formerly known as Twitter) and watch FranklinCollegeGrizzlies on TikTok.