Passing clouds did not deter eclipse viewers at Pymatuning State Park. Approximately 400 people, including Pitt students and alumni, arrived at the state park 90 miles north of Pittsburgh to witness the total solar eclipse passing through North America.

As the Pitt Shadow Bandits gradually filled their weather balloon with helium, a symphony of worried gasps escaped from the crowd of spectators as they heard a loud pop and saw the balloon’s deflated...

After an intense downpour the morning of the test launch, the dark clouds parted, uncovering a bright blue sky just in time for the Pitt Shadow Bandits to release their research balloon to float up to...