Solar Eclipses, the Medieval View: Not What You Think! – Johnston County Library

Ever wondered how people in medieval times interpreted solar eclipses? On Monday, April 1st at 6:30 PM, Johnston County Library will be hosting “Solar Eclipses, the Medieval View: Not What You Think!”, a program featuring speaker Dr. Rebecca Jacobs-Pollez. All ages are welcome to sign up. Attendees will receive a free pair of Solar Eclipse glasses at the event while supplies last (limit 2 per family).

Since ancient times, eclipses have been blamed for some incredible events: the death of an emperor, the start of a civil war, the end of a fifteen-year war, even the end of the Roman Empire! But is any of this true? What did the eclipses mean to people in the Middle Ages? Did everyone believe eclipses were portends of evil? Did anyone at the time understand them? Dr. Rebecca Jacobs-Pollez will discuss the medieval views of eclipses, the universe, the music of the planets, and some of the more astounding stories associated with the darkness and supposed disappearance of the sun. And, hint, medieval people were actually pretty smart.

Dr. Rebecca Jacobs-Pollez was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and immediately began traveling the world. Because her father was a member of the US Air Force, her family moved regularly, lived in several states, as well as France and Spain. She and her husband still enjoy traveling. As a child in France, she was awed by the beauty and grandeur of medieval Gothic architecture, which led her to study medieval history. Before earning her Ph.D., Dr. Jacobs-Pollez was an engineer at the Johnson Space Center.

Dr. Jacobs-Pollez (Dr. J-P to her students) has a BS in Mathematics and an MA in history, both from the University of Houston – Clear Lake, and a Ph.D. in European History from the University of Missouri, Columbia. Her Ph.D. advisor was Dr. Lois Huneycutt, whose advisor was Dr. Warren Hollister, which makes Dr. J-P the academic grandchild of one of the greatest medieval historians. She has published several articles, and her current research examines late medieval women’s education, women and literacy, as well as the theory and practice of medieval education. She teaches a variety of history courses at Murray State College and has taught a medieval honors course at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She is a member of the Board of the Southern Oklahoma Library System.

To reserve a spot or for more information, contact Johnston County Library at (580) 371-3006 or visit the library at 116 West Main in Tishomingo. The Johnston County Library is a branch of the Southern Oklahoma Library System.

The Southern Oklahoma Library System was named Oklahoma Library of the Year in 2024!

Weeklong Solar Eclipse Activities – Healdton Community Library

Is your child excited for the approaching solar eclipse? Learn about this spectacular phenomenon through fun and play! Join the Healdton Community Library from April 1st through the 8th for crafts and activities all centered around the solar eclipse. This program will be ongoing during library hours. The Healdton community is invited to view the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8th at 1:30 PM at the library. Two solar eclipse glasses per family will be available throughout the event while supplies last.

This program is related to the upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. This rare event will traverse North America and cross over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. It occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, completely obscuring the Sun’s face. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk.

For more information call the Healdton Community Library at (580) 229-0590. You can visit us at 554 South 4th Street in Healdton. The Healdton Community Library is a branch of the Southern Oklahoma Library System.

The Southern Oklahoma Library System was named Oklahoma Library of the Year in 2024!

Solar Eclipses Across History – Johnston County Library

Astronomy. The stars. The moon. Comets. And…solar eclipses, perhaps one of the most exciting events to view. Picture this: it’s bright daylight and suddenly the sky gets dark, the stars come out, the temperature drops, the animals get excited and even the air has a different feel. Come and join the Johnston County Library for a presentation on solar eclipses across history with Don Loving on Thursday, March 28th at 6:30 PM.

Explore how these solar eclipses affect people today and yesterday. A special emphasis on how different Native cultures understood skies and solar eclipses will be included in this presentation. The program will be interactive and open to all ages. Additionally, all attendees will receive a complimentary pair of solar eclipse glasses (limit 2 per family).

This program is related to the upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. A rare event will traverse North America and cross over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. It occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, completely obscuring the Sun’s face. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk.

For more information or to sign up, you can contact the Johnston County Library at (580) 371-3006 or visit the library at 116 West Main in Tishomingo. The Johnston County Library is a branch of the Southern Oklahoma Library System.

Solar Eclipses, the Medieval View: Not What You Think! – Love County Library

Ever wondered how people in medieval times interpreted solar eclipses? On Thursday, March 28th at 6:00 PM, Love County Library will be hosting “Solar Eclipses, the Medieval View: Not What You Think!”, a program featuring speaker Dr. Rebecca Jacobs-Pollez. All ages are welcome to sign up. Attendees will receive a free pair of Solar Eclipse glasses at event while supplies last (limit 2 per family).

Since ancient times, eclipses have been blamed for some incredible events: the death of an emperor, the start of a civil war, the end of a fifteen-year war, even the end of the Roman Empire! But is any of this true? What did the eclipses mean to people in the Middle Ages? Did everyone believe eclipses were portends of evil? Did anyone at the time understand them? Dr. Rebecca Jacobs-Pollez will discuss the medieval views of eclipses, the universe, the music of the planets, and some of the more astounding stories associated with the darkness and supposed disappearance of the sun. And, hint, medieval people were actually pretty smart.

Dr. Rebecca Jacobs-Pollez was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and immediately began traveling the world. Because her father was a member of the US Air Force, her family moved regularly, lived in several states, as well as France and Spain. She and her husband still enjoy traveling. As a child in France, she was awed by the beauty and grandeur of medieval Gothic architecture, which led her to study medieval history. Before earning her Ph.D., Dr. Jacobs-Pollez was an engineer at the Johnson Space Center.

Dr. Jacobs-Pollez (Dr. J-P to her students) has a BS in Mathematics and an MA in history, both from the University of Houston – Clear Lake, and a Ph.D. in European History from the University of Missouri, Columbia. Her Ph.D. advisor was Dr. Lois Huneycutt, whose advisor was Dr. Warren Hollister, which makes Dr. J-P the academic grandchild of one of the greatest medieval historians. She has published several articles and her current research examines late medieval women’s education, women and literacy, as well as the theory and practice of medieval education. She teaches a variety of history courses at Murray State College and has taught a medieval honors course at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She is a member of the Board of the Southern Oklahoma Library System.

To reserve a spot or for more information, contact the Love County Library at (580) 276-3783 or visit the library at 500 South Hwy. 77 in Marietta. The Love County Library is a branch of the Southern Oklahoma Library System.