Laurentian Astronomer Inspires Us to Spend More Time Looking Up
He is a highly regarded astronomer who appears regularly in the media as a science content expert for shows like PBS’ Nova and The Colbert Report. For more than two decades he has hosted award-winning astronomy radio programs for Philadelphia’s two public radio stations. He even met President Obama and his family when he was invited to participate in the first-ever White House Star Party. More recently, he was appointed to the outreach advisory board for the new Thirty-Meter-Telescope—the world’s largest—at Mauna Kea in Hawaii.
On first glance, it seems a cruel irony that University Trustee Derrick Pitts ’78 won’t be experiencing the solar eclipse from within the path of totality on April 8. Viewed through a stronger lens, though, it all makes sense. As the chief astronomer and director of the Fels Planetarium at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia—where about 90% of the Sun will be covered by the disc of the Moon on April 8—Pitts will be on-site directing educational programming for an anticipated 8,000-plus visitors. Pitts has dedicated his career to helping all people realize they can enjoy astronomy without being trained scientists. He sees the total solar eclipse as an opportunity to encourage everyone to stop what they’re doing and look up.
“In Philadelphia, I’m going to be working with a group of people who, for one reason or another, can’t get to the path of totality. Either they have some other commitment that won’t allow them to travel there, or they don’t have the resources to do it,” he explains. “My responsibility is to see to it that those folks still have an enjoyable, authentic science experience.”
On April 8, Pitts and his team will have solar eclipse glasses available, and will set up and staff telescopes, as well as solar viewing tents of his own design. Made from the type of portable canopies often used for sporting events, he cut out a window and fitted it with 100% certified solar eclipse viewing material.
“This way you can just place yourself under the tent and look up,” Pitts says, adding that the tents make viewing easier for people with disabilities. The Franklin Institute is building several for its own use, and also will be distributing tents to community organizations, including the main branch of the Philadelphia Library. Although Pitts admits to being “a little bit bummed” about missing the total eclipse experience this year, he points out that he did get to enjoy it back in 2017, when he was invited to help host a viewing event in St. Joseph, Missouri, which was smack dab in the middle of the 70-mile-wide swath of totality. He describes gazing at the ring of Sunlight all around the horizon while watching the shadow of the Moon coming toward him.
“A total solar eclipse is something everyone should experience if you have a chance,” he says. “And if you happen to live right in the path of totality, it’s definitely a message from the universe, up close and personal, telling you that you need to pay attention, because the universe is full of wonder. It’s beautiful.”
Total Solar Eclipse Info
We've gathered all of our resources and expert insights to create your very own total solar eclipse information hub. Stay up to date on what you can expect on April 8, read stories from our community, and even commemorate the out-of-this-world event with custom St. Lawrence merchandise.
