by Library News
UTA Libraries’ Special Collections is hosting an exhibit and talk about the upcoming total solar eclipse. The events are designed to mark this once-in-a-lifetime event.
The exhibit, “Theoria Eclipsium: Curiosity, Captivation, and Connection,” opens on March 26. On April 8 at 10:30 a.m., the eclipse talk will take place on the sixth floor of the UTA Central Library.
Evan Spencer, Public Services Archivist, stated that the exhibit gives visitors a look at eclipses throughout recorded history.
“The exhibit will use the front of Special Collections to show historical materials that show eclipses or focus on the science behind eclipses. We will have a few maps and rare books focused on the historical perspectives of eclipses,” Evan said. “There will also be some photographs from the Star-Telegram Collection in the exhibit to tie in the wonder of eclipses through time.”
This is one of several celestial charts donated to UTA Libraries Special Collections. Several of these charts will be displayed in the upcoming Eclipse exhibit.
Some of the items featured in the exhibit are celestial charts and atlases gifted to the library by Donald Sheff. The oldest book in the exhibit is “Cosmography” by Peter Apian, which studies how the Earth fits into the universe and dates from 1534.
Dr. Clifford Cunningham, a Historian of Astronomy, will give the talk. The UTA History Department has partnered with the Libraries to bring these events to the public.
“Dr. Cunningham’s talk is called ‘A Total Eclipse of the Heart: How Solar Eclipses Struck Fear and Wonder in the Hearts of People for Thousands of Years,’” Evan said. “He will be talking about people who have looked up at eclipses and seen different things through time. It ties in nicely with our exhibit.”
Evan stated that limited quantities of eclipse glasses will be given away at each event. These glasses will allow people to view the total eclipse safely and will protect their eyes.
This is one of several celestial charts donated to UTA Libraries Special Collections. Several of these charts will be displayed in the upcoming Eclipse exhibit.
The April 8 eclipse will start at 1:40 p.m. and will last for two minutes and 33 seconds. It will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States and Canada.
This is one of several celestial charts donated to UTA Libraries Special Collections. Several of these charts will be displayed in the upcoming Eclipse exhibit.
If people cannot see the exhibit when it opens on March 26, it will run until the fall semester starts in August in Special Collections. The exhibit will be open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. On the day of the eclipse, April 8, the exhibit will be open from 9 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
For more information about Special Collections, visit the UTA Libraries website and social media pages.
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