The party MSU:Billings threw Monday, August 21, to celebrate the solar eclipse was a big hit.
Campus officials estimate more than 500 people gathered on the grassy lawn on the western edge of campus to view this rare solar occurance.
Some arrived as early as 7am for an event not scheduled to begin until 10am. The 350 pairs of eclipse
glasses they had to hand out were snapped up quickly.
Chemistry professor Matt Queen said the turnout amazing.
“The community turnout is just unreal,” said Queen. “ It’s fantastic. I don’t think anyone here knew this was going to happen. All of these people sort of converged to hang out in the shadow of the sun, or the moon, I guess, more precisely. It was awesome. “
The best part of the eclipse for Parker Jones, one of the many the children at the eclipse, was the different direction the moon took across the sun, going from west to east instead of east to west.
For his little brother Breckin, the best part was very basic: it was really fun.
