Le Moyne College Calendar

Faculty from a number of disciplines will discuss a wide variety of topics that relate to the eclipse on Monday, April 8 starting at noon in the James Commons/Curtin Special Events Room in the Campus Center.

Moderated by Associate Professor Frank Ridzi, panelists and their topics are:

* Religious Studies Professor Jennifer Glancy will speak on "Signs and Portents: Eclipses in the New Testament and other Roman Literature." According to the synoptic Gospels, the sky darkened at the time of Jesus' death, arguably the most famous eclipse in history. Although the detail is apocryphal, it reflects the widespread practice of interpreting astral events as signs and portents. This presentation asks how Jesus' contemporaries would have interpreted the report of the sky darkening during the crucifixion.

* Physics Associate Professor Christopher Bass will present a primer on why eclipses occur in a talk titled "A Celestial Dance: The Science of Eclipses."

* Biological Sciences Associate Professor Patrick Yurco will speak on "Solar Retinopathy: Why you should protect your eyes from the eclipse." Solar (photic) retinopathy is caused by viewing intense light, such as the sun, without proper protection. Unprotected "sun gazing" can cause temporary visual deficits that last for months and can even be permanent with severe damage. The bright light does not actually burn the retina, but rather causes a toxic chemical reaction in the retina called phototoxicity. Only with proper eye protection can the eclipse be safely viewed.>br>
* History Professor Bob Zens will speak on "Medieval Islamic Astronomy: The Godly Science." During the Global Middle Ages astronomy was exalted as the greatest of the sciences in Islamic society. Astronomers were found in every court. No expense was spared to fund the study of celestial bodies or the translation of ancient Greek and other texts on the topic. Of special note was the study of eclipses. Solar eclipses were viewed not only as a natural phenomenon, but also as a reminder of God's greatness. This presentation will discuss astronomy in Islamic history with a focus on the unique place of solar eclipses within it.

* Psychology Professor Associate Susan Scharoun will talk about “The Impact of Heavenly Bodies on Human Behavior: Lore or Science?” Before modern science, the belief that celestial bodies influenced human behavior was an attempt to understand the world. Throughout history, humans have looked to the heavens to explain earthly phenomena that include personality traits, unusual behavior, and even our destiny. Horoscopes, used by world leaders, werewolves and vampires, the subjects of folklore, and lunatics, an actual diagnosis in mental health, are all connected by beliefs and superstitions connected to the movement of astral bodies. But is there any scientific evidence that supports these?

* English Associate Professor Miles Taylor will speak on "Stars Hide Your Fires: Reading the Sky in Shakespearean Tragedy." Eclipses in Shakespeare are never cause for celebration. They might follow a dire event as a sign of wounded nature, or they might precede a catastrophe as portent or omen. More figuratively, the darkness of an eclipse can serve as accomplice to terrible crimes - deeds of darkness that require darkness. However, an early modern conception of the sky as "mere nature," unrelated to human fate, problematizes readings of the sky as a sign pointing back at us and troubles the idea "That this huge stage presenteth nought but shows / Whereon the stars in secret influence comment."