Eclipse Experts

 

Luke Donforth 

¶¶Òõ̽̽ Physics Department 

Email: Luke.Donforth@uvm.edu 

  • Donforth is a lecturer in the Department of Physics and can discuss what is happening from the perspective of planetary physics. 

Ellen Brennan 

Vermont Space Grant Consortium/NASA EPSCoR 

Email: Ellen.Brennan@uvm.edu 

  • Program Administrator Ellen Brennan is leading Eclipse Day programming of events across ¶¶Òõ̽̽’s campus, and can also explain what is going to happen during the eclipse, what observers will see and why. 

John Perry 

¶¶Òõ̽̽ Physics Department 

Email: Lauren.Milideo@uvm.edu 

  • Perry is a senior lecturer in the Department of Physics and can speak to the specifics of the eclipse: what is going to happen from an astronomical perspective, and as well as the moment-by-moment details of what observers will see as the eclipse unfolds. 

Safe Viewing 

Jessica McNally, M.D. 

¶¶Òõ̽̽ Larner College of Medicine

Email: jmcnall1@uvm.edu 

  • McNally is an ophthalmologist and assistant professor and can discuss eye protection and how to view the eclipse safely. 

Citizen/community science and outreach 

Hazel Wilkins 

¶¶Òõ̽̽ Alum (2023); Northeast Lead Trainer for Citizen CATE 

Email: hswilkin@uvm.edu 

  • Wilkins is a recent ¶¶Òõ̽̽ undergraduate alum (physics/math) who is now the Northeast Lead Trainer for Citizen CATE, which is a citizen science project wherein volunteers will collect essential data during the eclipse.  
  • Wilkins is leading the Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine teams. 

Scott Turnbull 

¶¶Òõ̽̽ Senior Information Technology Professional 

Email: scott.turnbull@uvm.edu

  • Turnbull is a member of Vermont Astronomical Society and is happy to talk about the important role that the eclipse plays in creating public interest in science, as well as opportunities to foster enthusiasm about STEM education and careers. 

Related Story Ideas 

  • ¶¶Òõ̽̽ Researchers Share Eclipse Insights 

With Burlington in the path of totality, ¶¶Òõ̽̽ scholars are exploring what’s going to happen on Eclipse Day and why. From a broad overview of the planetary physics involved, to a minute-by-minute description of what to look for during our three minutes of totality, they discuss the key details of the eclipse in our feature story.  

  • As Eclipse Nears, Catamounts Join NASA Efforts 

¶¶Òõ̽̽ Alum Hazel Wilkins is leading teams of citizen scientists in collecting data about the sun during the eclipse – data that can only be spotted during these rare events. Meanwhile, ¶¶Òõ̽̽ Senior Information Technology Professional Scott Turnbull is offering public astronomy events in advance of the eclipse, and will lead a public observation event at Jericho’s Deborah Rawson Memorial Library on the Big Day. Read more here. 

  • Looking Ahead: How ¶¶Òõ̽̽ Students Will Learn From the Eclipse  

While ¶¶Òõ̽̽ is discouraging guests from visiting campus on Eclipse Day due to projected crowds, Ellen Brennan of ¶¶Òõ̽̽’s Vermont Space Grant Consortium is available in advance of the eclipse to discuss how students will learn from this historic event. ¶¶Òõ̽̽ has hosted several eclipse-themed events and will hold an alternative day of instruction on April 8. Instructors can hold class outdoors, or encourage students to attend eclipse-themed campus events. See the ¶¶Òõ̽̽ 2024 Total Eclipse Page for more information on ¶¶Òõ̽̽ and the eclipse.