By Joseph Provine, Phoenix staff writer

GSU hosted a solar eclipse party on Monday, April 8, from 1:30-2 p.m. As most know, a total eclipse is rare, occurring when the moon passes between the sun and the earth.

GSU was not in the path of totality, but it definitely was expected to turn the afternoon darker than usual. Students, faculty and even some people not affiliated with GSU gathered in the parking lot beyond the F building around 1:30 p.m.

The observers shared special eclipse viewing glasses and other devices to watch the moon shade the sun. While it didn’t block the sun entirely, the afternoon clearly became less bright. The spirits of those gathered to watch the solar event never dimmed, though.