Fans of astronomy are invited to attend a special viewing of the Total Lunar Eclipse on Sunday January 20, 2019 at the Gateway Building located at 3556 Lakeshore Rd. in Blasdell (14219). Instead of standing outside in your backyard with a cheap telescope, or viewing the eclipse from your second floor window with binoculars, Penn Dixie invites you to attend an evening of astronomical proportions.
Total lunar eclipse – where the Earth passes between the sun and the moon, turning the moon red — setting Mars, and a backdrop of winter constellations such as the Pleiades and Orion.
Not only will guests get a chance to view the eclipse with provided telescopes, there will be astronomers at the event to discuss many of the highlights, including a bloody supermoon (no viewing glasses needed).
Astronomers will be on hand to facilitate a mid-winter tour of the winter sky.
While the viewings will take place outside, there will a place to warm up indoors, which will feature a number of activities, including:
- Warm up with hot beverages and snacks in the lobby
- Attend one of the space talks
- Watch the official NASA livestream in the auditorium
- Make astronomy crafts with science educators
- A limited supply of free NASA swag will be available
Lunar Schedule
9:30 pm Doors open, telescopes ready, indoor activities commence
9:36 pm Penumbral Eclipse begins (Earth’s shadow touches Moon’s face)
10:33 pm Partial eclipse begins — Moon begins to turn red
11:41 pm Total eclipse begins — Completely red moon
12:12 am Maximum eclipse
12:30 am Program concludes; eclipse wanes until 1:50 am
Space Talk Schedule
9:45 pm Eclipse Basics. Learn the difference between lunar and solar eclipses and other facts about our solar system.
10:15 pm Telescopes 101. Receive a telescope for Christmas? Astronomers can help you get started with an expert demonstration and mini-workshop on telescopes.
10:45 pm Astrophotography On A Budget. With a small investment you can take beautiful pictures of celestial objects. Guides will be on hand to help you to get started.
11:15 pm How Do We Measure In Space? Large distances such as light years and astronomical units are challenging to imagine — astronomers will give you some tips for making sense of the vastness of space.
Total Lunar Eclipse Viewing
Sunday January 20, 2019
Beginning at 9:30 pm
All ages welcome
No charge for admission thanks to sponsors: RP Oak Hill Building Company, Inc., Erie County, and NASA.
With the exception of travel bans due to extreme weather, the program will take place from 9:30 pm until 12:30 am regardless of weather conditions.
Full info: penndixie.org/lunar-eclipse
More info: moon.nasa.gov/about/lunar-eclipses
Image Credit: Jim Maroney/The Great Big Sky
