Saturday, August 19, 2017 - 12:00 am
Type of Event: 
Lecture
Event Location: 
Austin Auditorium
Construction & Engineering Hall

The LaSells Stewart Center is hosting pre-eclipse activities that are free and open to the public (unless noted). We encourage people to come, socialize and engage in learning about the eclipse and our solar system. The Giustina Gallery will be open all day for viewing of the OSU150 Space Grant Art Exhibit featuring local artists. Works are for sale.

The Following events are at The LaSells Stewart Center:

10 a.m. | 40 Years in Space without Leaving the Ground
Bone Research Lab Director Russell Turner doesn’t limit his work to our planet. He’s been conducting experiments on spaceflight missions since the 1970s to study how microgravity affects bones. Hear about his adventures, mishaps and findings – and how his pioneering bone research out there applies to wellness and strong bones for the earthbound.

Room: Austin Auditorium

 

10 a.m. | Greeks and the Eclipse: A Geometry Story
Thousands of years ago, Greeks learned to use eclipse events and geometry to measure the size and distance to both the moon and the sun with surprising accuracy. Learn from mathematics Ph.D. candidate Sarah Hagen how the ancient Greeks made such astounding measurements, and leave with the tools to do it yourself. No math background required.

Room: Construction and Engineering Hall

 

11 a.m. | Total Eclipse of the Art: How Artists Visualize the Sun, Moon and Cosmos
In this illustrated lecture, art historian Dr. Liena Vayzman will consider ways that historical and contemporary artists have imagined and visualized the cosmos, particularly the sun and moon – easily observable by humans and the subject of myth-making, speculation and worship in many cultures.

Room: Austin Auditorium

 

11 a.m. | The North Star, a Guiding Light to African American Freedom
Ethnic studies professor Robert Thompson discusses how astronomy played an important role in the African American culture, helping slaves navigate to freedom.

Room: Construction and Engineering Hall

 

12 p.m. - 8 p.m. | Food and Beverages in the Courtyard
Relax, socialize and enjoy beer, wine and food for purchase starting at noon. BBQ by Pig Out BBQ Catering from 4-7 p.m.

Location: Courtyard

 

1 p.m. | Sports and STEM
Meet some of the Beaver Nation athletes who are pursuing degrees in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math). Hear how these future innovators are combining their passions for athletics and academics to make an impact.

Room: Austin Auditorium

 

2 p.m. | Is There Life Elsewhere in the Universe?
This age-long question has yet to be answered, but there’s evidence from the NASA Curiosity Rover that Mars could have supported life in the past. Hear fascinating insights from expert Martin Fisk, a Participating Scientist in NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory Program (Curiosity Rover), about whether life exists on other planets – and if so, how we might find it.

Room: Austin Auditorium

 

2 p.m. | View from the Coast
During the eclipse, a vast network of sensors on oceanographic moorings off the Oregon Coast will be measuring its effect on the ocean through tides. Hear from oceanographer/professor Jonathan Fram about how bioacoustic sonars will measure fish and the zooplankton they eat, while other sensors will detect how the eclipse affects light and temperature at the sea surface.

Room: Construction and Engineering Hall

 

3 p.m. | Not Rocket Science? Yes, It Is!
Lift-off! This is rocket science. Hear how Oregon State University students on the High Altitude Rocket Team built a rocket to reach 100,000 ft.

Room: Austin Auditorium

 

4 p.m. | There Goes the Sun: An Overview of the "Great American Eclipse of 2017"
Learn all about the Total Solar Eclipse from expert Randall Milstein, Astronomer-in-Residence to the Oregon NASA Space Grant Consortium and an OSU physics professor. Enjoy his educational and entertaining stories of the mythology, history, science and beauty of this rare celestial event.

Room: Austin Auditorium

 

7 p.m. | The Path of Totality: Singing of Darkness and Light,”---OSU Summer Choir (ticket required)

Featuring a special repertoire chosen especially for this historic occasion, the OSU Summer Choir will perform choruses from Israel and Egypt, Samson and Creation, accompanied by the OSU Summer Orchestra.

Advance tickets available at: http://liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/SACevents.
$10 general admission; Free for OSU students, K-12 students (with I.D.) and OSU Eclipse Event Lodging Package on a space available basis. CAFA discounts apply.

Room: Austin Auditorium

 

Festival activities on campus