Eclipse
I studied and worked for a spring semester with Dr. Juie Shetye, assistant professor, from the NMSU Astronomy Department. The project was funded through the National Science Foundation FDSS (Faculty Development in geoSpace Science) grant. As part of my project, I was able to participate in the Nationwide Eclipse Ballooning Project. I was able to learn about and help with launching the weather balloons for scientific studies. Dr. Shetye, a group of NMSU students, and myself did several practice launches in preparation for the launches during the solar eclipse. We travelled to Hewlett Park in Granbury, Texas, to watch and record scientific data of the solar eclipse on April 8th. I also helped with public outreach during the event. My goal as a studio art major was to create an artwork based on my interpretation of the solar eclipse and my studies involving it throughout the semester. After doing a site visit at the Visitor Center at Sunspot Solar Observatory in February, I knew I wanted to create a sculpture for this project. Witnessing totality was an extraordinary, adrenaline rushing experience that no words can effectively describe. My hope is that my sculpture will give the viewer a glimpse of the experience of the total solar eclipse.
Eclipse is 10 feet tall by 2 feet wide. The yellow circular light ring hanging from the chain attached to the ceiling is a representation of the sun. There are fourteen 4-foot strings hanging from it that each have 10 acrylic shapes. The shapes represent different characteristics of the sun based on my interpretation of it. During my site visit observing the operation of Dunn telescope, I learned that the sun emits all colors of the rainbow and the combination of the colors we naturally see is “white.” I was shown how the telescope has different lenses to filter the different colors from the light spectrum. Seeing the sun in different colors inspired the coloring of the shapes and choice of using acrylic. The sun is shining onto the moon, which is a 3D print downloaded from NASA’s website and modified. I wanted the light to shine onto the moon and have the different colors shown on it that are emitted from the acrylic shapes. The bottom half of the moon is completed with negative space enclosed by metal rods representing the void of darkness of the moon that is seen during totality. The light shining down on the moon casts a shadow of darkness beneath it surrounded by circular light ring on the surface of the top layer of the stand. The stand has a repetitive circle design vitalizing the circular nature of this sculpture.
For more information about the project, please read these articles:
Shetye, J., Vesa, O., Houser, C., Martinez, M., Denney, A., Brealey-Rood, A., Bundell, K., Oyewole, S., Olivas, R., & Angel, J. (2025). Characterization of Atmospheric Gravity Waves Observed During a Total Solar Eclipse in Granbury, Texas. Bulletin of the AAS, 56(9). https://doi.org/10.3847/25c2cfeb.af234821
Shetye, J., Blundell, K., Goehring, M., & Sanchez, H. (2025). Dance of Shadows: A Unique Way to Study Eclipse Using Household Items and a Bit of Creativity. Bulletin of the AAS, 56(9). https://doi.org/10.3847/25c2cfeb.374dc674
Early on during the semester, I did a site visit to the Visitor Center at Sunspot Solar Observatory and it solidified my vision for this project. One of the scientists, was working at the Dunn telescope during my visit and he was able to show me how the telescope works. I learned that the sun emits all colors of the rainbow, which combine to appear white. He explained to me how the lenses filter the light the sun is emitting, and this process enables them to study the different color wavelengths. This was very intriguing for me especially with my background doing photography and my job was to literally play with light and how it transfers through the lens and onto my subjects.
As part of my project, I participated in the Nationwide Eclipse Ballooning Project, gaining hands-on experience in launching weather balloons for scientific studies. Our team, including Dr. Shetye and a group of dedicated NMSU students and others, conducted several practice launches on campus in preparation for the solar eclipse.
The astronomy team and I traveled to Hewlett Park in Granbury, Texas, to observe and record scientific data using weather balloons during the solar eclipse that occurred on April 8, 2024.
This event was not only a scientific endeavor but also a public outreach opportunity, where I engaged with the community, providing educational and art activities
These are designs I made in a CAD program for the acrylic shapes that hang from the pendant of the sculpture. These designs are things I witnessed during totality of the eclipse or the different characteristics of the sun that I learned about throughout the semester. The circular sun shapes have solar flares, sunspots, diamond ring, totality, partial totality, and way sun is interpreted through drawings.