5 Things You Need to Know About the Total Solar Eclipse and Diadeloso
The Total Solar Eclipse and Diadeloso on the Baylor University Waco campus are less than one week away on Monday, April 8. Here are five important things to know about the events.
1. Eclipse Over Texas is at McLane Stadium, Diadeloso is on campus.
The Eclipse Over Texas: Live From Waco events at McLane Stadium’s Touchdown Alley require a ticket to enter. General Admission tickets may be purchased online at eclipseovertexas2024.com. There are numerous educational and experiential opportunities, presentations and activities for the entire family to learn about the eclipse, including from Baylor’s own astrophysics faculty. A clear bag policy is in effect and participants will pass through magnetometers. Once you pass through security, you may not leave and then re-enter the event.
Diadeloso will be held on campus – Fountain Mall, Bear Park, Bill Daniel Student Center – with activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Diadeloso events for Baylor students, faculty and staff require a wrist band to participate. To help you safely view the eclipse, each wrist band will come with approved solar eclipse glasses.
- Faculty and staff can pick up wrist bands with their Baylor ID from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 3-5 in Bill Daniel Student Center.
- On Monday, students can pick up wrist bands with their Baylor ID at two campus locations: 5th Street between the Bill Daniel Student Center and Marrs McLean Gym between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A wrist band will be required for Dia’s traditional campuswide Noon Meal, which will be served in Penland Crossroads and East Village Dining Commons from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wrist bands will also be available at these locations during the mealtime. Remember, you must show your Baylor ID to receive a wrist band. All other dining halls will be closed for lunch that day. The SUB food court will be open. Food trucks with specialty drinks, desserts and snacks for purchase will be available beginning at 11 a.m. in the parking lot behind Morrison Hall.
Diadeloso WILL include an Eclipse Watch with information and interesting facts about the total solar eclipse provided by Dr. Jared Fier from Baylor’s Department of Physics, from 1:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. on Fountain Mall, weather permitting.
Find the full schedule of Dia events and attractions at diadeloso.web.baylor.edu.
2. Weather may impact planned events.
City of Waco and Baylor officials are monitoring the weather forecast, which can evolve and change over the week. Plan ahead and be prepared for the weather to possibly impact these events. Eclipse Over Texas: Live from Waco will proceed rain or shine, unless the weather conditions become dangerous. Any updates will be posted at eclipseovertexas2024.com and communicated directly with ticketholders.
Diadeloso events also may be impacted by the weather. Please check diadeloso.web.baylor.edu and Student Life social media channels for updates. If weather turns severe, the University will communicate with campus via the Baylor Alert emergency notification system.
3. Traffic will be heavy in the area.
Waco is one of the largest cities in the solar eclipse path of totality, and that makes it a very popular location for thousands of visitors who want to see the event. Expect heavier than normal traffic and congestion in the Waco area from April 5-8 as events around the eclipse are planned in Waco through the weekend. Most roads in and around campus will be open but be prepared for traffic delays. We anticipate traffic around the Baylor campus on the day of the Eclipse will be similar to a football game day.
On April 8, we anticipate a significant number of visitors to the area who may not be familiar with University parking guidelines may park on campus.
Students without parking permits may park in designated student parking areas on campus on April 8.
Important note: The University is officially open on April 8. Staff are asked to coordinate their time away for the Eclipse Over Waco event or Diadeloso with their supervisors.
4. Special solar eclipse glasses are required for your safety.
IMPORTANT: You must use special solar eclipse glasses to safely view any portion of the eclipse. Traditional sunglasses or multiple pairs of sunglasses WILL NOT protect your eyes from damage.
NASA provides important information on how to protect your eyes during a Total Solar Eclipse:
- View the Sun through eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer during the partial eclipse phases before and after totality.
- You can view the eclipse directly without proper eye protection only when the Moon completely obscures the Sun’s bright face – during the brief and spectacular period known as totality.
- As soon as you see even a little bit of the bright Sun reappear after totality, immediately put your eclipse glasses back on or use a handheld solar viewer to look at the Sun.
If you are watching an entire eclipse, you may be in direct sunlight for hours. Remember to wear sunscreen, a hat and protective clothing to prevent skin damage.
You also can watch the Total Solar Eclipse via Discovery and Science Channel livestreaming:
5. Eclipse academic and arts events are planned throughout the weekend.
There are many events across Waco and on campus to enjoy in the days preceding the eclipse and on the day of the eclipse. The city of Waco will celebrate with a weekend filled with concerts and activities. For a complete schedule of city events, visit the City of Waco website.
Baylor University also will offer several campus academic lectures, museum events and performances related to the Total Solar Eclipse, including a concert premiering music from new musical “American Eclipse,” a lecture with an Apollo 17 astronaut and panel discussion on the future of lunar exploration, and events at the Martin Museum of Art and Mayborn Museum. For a complete schedule of Eclipse events, visit the Baylor News website.
For additional questions, please check the Diadeloso and the Solar Eclipse FAQ.
