It Was Eclipse and Ice Cream at UConn

STOPRRS, CT — There was an eclipse and there was ice cream. There was also eclipse ice cream as about 1,000 people gathered around Horsebarn Hill and the UConn Dairy Bar Monday for an eclipse viewing party sponsored by physics professors.

University of Connecticut Professors Cara Battersby, Jonathan Trump and Kate Whitaker decided a couple of weeks ago to host an event that came with lectures and chances to use real viewing equipment.

They also were able to get 150 sets of approved viewing glasses. Then, about 10 times as many people showed up.

Despite some early griping, everyone came together to share the glasses. That is, those who did not bring homemade viewing devices. Viewers were made out of small appliance boxes, computer boxes and cereal boxes than ranged from Raisin Bran, to Shredded Wheat to Cap'n Crunch's Crunch Berries.

Oooohs and Ahhhhhhs could be heard for about three hours as the eclipse went through several stages until about 66 percent of the sun was covered.

The UConn Dairy Bar even had a special sundae — vanilla and chocolate ice cream with yellow and brown sprinkles and whipped cream — but NASA officials warned customers not to look directly into the cup while drinking it because of potential "overexcitement."

Photo Credit: Chris Dehnel