Penn found itself in the path of the Great North American Eclipse on April 8. While Philadelphia only experienced partial totality, Monday’s eclipse was the first eclipse sighting in the region since August 21, 2017. To celebrate the momentous event, Penn organized an eclipse viewing party on College Green. The Daily Pennsylvanian photographers captured the scene on the ground as the moon made its rare passage in front of the sun.

2:40 p.m.

The University’s event started at 2:30 p.m., but students began lining up in the area at 2:00 p.m., hoping to get a snack or a pair of eclipse glasses. The glasses promptly ran out as students congregated with friends to watch the eclipse.

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3:05 p.m. 

Once 3:00 p.m. struck, College Green was filled with a sea of Penn community members, anticipating the climactic event of the hour. As students piled in front of College Hall, the moon’s shadow continued to grace the front of the sun.

3:16 p.m. 

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Interim President Larry Jameson joined students viewing the eclipse. A mostly eclipsed sun peeks through the clouds that began filling the sky.

3:25 p.m.

Students peer at a gray sky, hoping to catch a glimpse of maximum eclipse coverage over Philadelphia. Clouds still filled the sky, obscuring students’ view of the sun. 

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3:45 p.m.

The crowd cleared from College Green, but eclipse festivities continued. Student gatherings were scattered throughout campus, such as the rooftop of the off-campus apartment building, The Chestnut.

4 p.m. — 4:25 p.m. 

The moon finished its pass over the sun as students dispersed back to classes. While Penn’s view of the eclipse was partially eclipsed by clouds, students and faculty reported a good time from the experience. The next total solar eclipse to cross the lower 48 states won’t be until 2045, in which Philadelphia will once again get a glimpse of the phenomena.