Under the China sun: NAU fan totally eclipses rival supporters

Julie Gess-Newsome, director for the Center for Science Teaching and Learning, joined her eclipse-chasing sister and brother-in-law in China, where they caught the center line of the solar eclipse last month.

Her desire to share the experience with her colleagues back in Flagstaff led her to a unique display of school spirit.

"What you're seeing is a little trick my sister learned," Gess-Newsome said. "Take a piece of cardboard and poke a hole in it. When you take it outside, allowing the sun shine through the holes onto the ground or onto a piece of paper, you will see an image of the sun reflected."

During a partial eclipse, she explained, you see the reflection of the sun with the shadow of the moon.

Using a template she crafted replicating the NAU logo, Gess-Newsome projected dozens of little suns during the solar eclipse.

"With every hole you're getting a picture of the sun," she said.