Lunar Eclipse Viewing Party
Description:Watch as the Moon slips into Earth's shadow and turns a deep red color. On January 20-21 skywatchers will get the chance to witness a total lunar eclipse.
Lunar eclipses occur when Earth's shadow blocks the sun's light, which otherwise reflects off the moon. There are three types — total, partial and penumbral — with the most dramatic being a total lunar eclipse, in which Earth's shadow completely covers the moon. The moon won't completely disappear, but it will be cast in an eerie darkness that makes it easy to miss if you were not looking for the eclipse. Some sunlight passing through Earth's atmosphere is scattered and refracted, or bent, and refocused on the moon, giving it a dim, sometimes red, glow even during totality giving rise to the term "blood moon".
Observe the lunar eclipse with your own eyes through the 16" research telescope in the observing dome and through smaller telescopes on the observing deck. Astronomy faculty and club members will be on-hand in the observatory to operate our telescopes and guide visitors as they view objects in the night sky. Be sure to dress for the weather!
Experience a lunar eclipse from the surface of the moon in the Planetarium. Live tours of the night sky will be offered every 30 minutes throughout the night.
Visitors are welcome to come and go as they please throughout the night. A list of start and end times for the eclipse is available below:
- 9:36 pm - Penumbral Eclipse begins - Earth's penumbral shadow starts touching the Moon's face
- 10:33 pm - Partial Eclipse begins - Moon starts to turn red
- 11:31pm - Total Eclipse begins - "Blood Moon" Moon is completely red
- 12:43 am - Total Eclipse ends
- 1:50 am - Partial Eclipse ends
- 2:48 am - Penumbral Eclipse end
In the event of clouds or poor viewing conditions, the event will be canceled. Weather calls will be made by 3:00 PM January 20 and shared to our website and social media.
This event is free and open to everyone!