Westminster College has two days of events planned for the upcoming solar eclipse.
Westminster stands in the totality zone for best viewing. College officials are preparing activities to add to the enjoyment of this event for new students, returning students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and friends.
Westminster campus events begin Aug. 20, with a celebration of the sights and sounds of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury, a 17th century English church brought from London and restored on campus to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Sir Winston Churchill's 1946 "Iron Curtain" speech.
In the church at 2 p.m. the Sandra L. and Monroe E. Trout director and chief curator of the National Churchill Museum, Timothy Riley, will discuss the architect of the church, Sir Christopher Wren, who was an astronomer before he became an architect. He will also speak on the recently rediscovered Churchill essay, "Are We Alone in the Universe?"
An organ concert entitled "Music of the Spheres" on the beautiful Mander organ will follow the discussion. Organist for the concert will be David Sinden, the church organist and music director for St. Peters Episcopal Church in St. Louis.
This Sunday event is free with museum admission ($8.50 for adults, $7.50 for senior citizens, $6.50 for ages 12-18, $5.50 for ages 6-11, and free for children 5 and under).
At 11 a.m. Aug. 21, Dr. Kent Palmer, emeritus professor of physics, and Leah Criswell, visiting assistant professor of physics, will host a mini-lecture and educational discussion regarding the eclipse, its significance, and the science behind it at 11 a.m. in Champ Auditorium. Palmer will discuss how solar eclipses differ from lunar eclipses, why they are rare and important, what to look for during the eclipse, viewing safety, and a question and answer segment.
Special glasses necessary to view the eclipse will be distributed after the lecture.
Palmer's lecture can also be viewed by live stream at westminster-mo.edu/news/LiveStreaming/default.html.
Following the lecture at 11:30 a.m.,there will be a barbeque picnic at both the Backer Dining Hall and Priest Football Field. The cost is $10. Visitors planning on attending lunch should RSVP at [email protected].
Due to the historic significance of the event, campus offices will be permitted to close from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. for the eclipse activities and luncheon.
The campus community and visitors will be encouraged to observe the eclipse at Priest Field. A partial eclipse will begin at 11:44 a.m., the total eclipse will take place at 1:13 p.m., and the observance will end at 1:30 p.m. Viewers are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs so they can watch the phenomenon comfortably.
Several area high schools have expressed interest in bringing students to the Westminster eclipse observance.
A satellite eclipse viewing area is also available at Crane's Country Store in Williamsburg.
For more information on Callaway County activities, go to: visitfulton.com/eclipse.html. More information on the eclipse itself can be found at www.greatamericaneclipse.com.