Anika Raisa Chowdhury, Student Life Editor
On a crisp, clear day on the 8th of April in Dearborn, Michigan, the celestial ballet between the sun, moon, and earth took center stage as a solar eclipse captivated the attention of onlookers across the region. Among them, students from UM-Dearborn found themselves congregating outside, drawn together by the allure of this rare astronomical event.
Despite being an unofficial gathering, the allure of the solar eclipse proved too powerful for students, staff, and faculties to resist. As the moon slowly began its journey across the face of the sun, excitement filled the air, sparking conversations and shared awe among the assembled crowd.
The U.S. won’t catch a glimpse of a total solar eclipse again until August 23, 2044. For many, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the cosmic dance between the sun and the moon, and students abandoned lecture halls and study sessions to witness this natural phenomenon.
Some students did not have the right gear or any plans to witness the eclipse, but enthusiasm on the campus around caught up to them and they ended up borrowing UV filter glasses from their friends and acquaintances to observe it momentarily.
As the eclipse reached its peak, darkness descended upon the campus, casting an eerie twilight over the normally bustling university grounds. The temperature dropped slightly with winds, adding to the surreal ambiance of the moment. With eyes shielded by protective glasses or homemade pinhole projectors, students marveled at the sight above them, capturing the event with cameras and smartphones to preserve the memory for years to come.
The once sunny morning felt like a stormy day with no precipitation and heavy winds. But as the moon moved away from the sun, the day was back to its high temperatures. Some students were also scared to be out during the eclipse hours and chose to stay inside to not risk looking at the sun with their bare eyes by mistake.
While most buildings on campus remained empty, their halls echoing with the absence of students, the outdoor spaces buzzed with energy and excitement as the solar eclipse unfolded overhead. As the last traces of the eclipse faded and daylight returned to the campus, the students of the University of Michigan-Dearborn dispersed, returning to their daily routines with a renewed sense of awe and appreciation for the world around them.