UMass Sunwheel and sky-watching events mark the spring equinox

AMHERST — The public is invited to celebrate the day of the equinox, marking the end of winter and beginning of spring, at the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Sunwheel on Tuesday, March 19. Talks will be given at 6:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. while viewing sunrise and sunset among the standing stones of the Sunwheel. During the evening session, there will also be an opportunity to enjoy telescopic views of the sun and moon, weather permitting.

At the sunrise and sunset talks, UMass Amherst astronomer Stephen Schneider will explain the seasonal positions of the sun and moon, with a special emphasis on the moon’s extreme positions over the coming year during the 2024-25 major lunar standstill. The best dates and times to catch the moon rising and setting at its most extreme positions have been posted on the UMass Sunwheel website at www.umass.edu/sunwheel.

This equinox event is the first in a series of public astronomy events leading up to the eclipse on April 8. Other events include:

■March 27, a public lecture featuring James Lowenthal, the Mary Elizabeth Moses Professor and Chair of Astronomy at Smith College, who will speak about how and why eclipses happen, phenomena to watch for and how to prepare for and safely watch the solar eclipse on April 8. The lecture is scheduled for 8 p.m. at the Integrated Sciences Building Auditorium, UMass Amherst.

<sbull value="sbull"><text xmlns="urn:schemas-teradp-com:gn4tera"></text></sbull>April 8, public gathering at UMass Amherst to observe the eclipse. The College of Natural Sciences and the astronomy department will distribute solar shades at two locations on campus while supplies last — UMass Amherst Sunwheel and Metawampe Lawn. UMass astronomers will speak about the phenomenon at both campus viewing locations. Shades will be available beginning at 11 a.m. The peak of the eclipse will be at 3:28 p.m. The event will conclude at 4:30 p.m.

The UMass Amherst Sunwheel is located south of McGuirk Alumni Stadium, just off Rocky Hill Road (the continuation of Amity Street) about one-quarter-mile west of University Drive. Visitors to the Sunwheel should be prepared for especially wet footing this year. Rain or blizzard conditions cancel the events.

Eversource to trim trees from helicopters in S. Hadley, Holyoke

Eversource will be using a low-flying helicopter to trim tree limbs from the sides of a power line corridor in western Massachusetts starting this week, including in South Hadley and Holyoke among many other towns in Hampden County and northern Connecticut.

The work in South Hadley will take place in the vicinity of Ferry Street, while the work in Holyoke will occur around Mount Tom.

The work is part of the utility’s efforts to ensure safe, reliable service for customers. Highly skilled pilots working for Eversource will conduct the overhead trimming using rotating blades and a helicopter. This helps to significantly reduce the amount of time it takes climbing crews to conduct the work manually and reduces the risk of injury to tree crews, Eversource said.

The work continues through April 6. Weather permitting, flights will take place between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Southampton Woman’s Club taking applications for scholarships

SOUTHAMPTON — Applications now available for the Southampton Woman’s Club 2024 college scholarships. Two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to Southampton high school seniors who plan to attend college, trade school, or other programs of higher learning.

Applications can be found on line at www.southamptonwoman’sclub.org. A short essay and copy of your academic transcript are also required. Submit completed materials to the e-mail address provided on the application. Applications must be submitted by April 29.