The Facts highlights “Ring of Fire” solar eclipse event at BASF Planetarium

Hundreds of local people turned out to view the “Ring of Fire” Annular Solar Eclipse at BASF Planetarium on Saturday, October 14 between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Planetarium volunteers were on hand to answer questions and provide demonstrations, as well as sell safe eclipse glasses to attendees.

The Facts published a web-only feature on Saturday, “Eyes to the sky: Eclipse-viewers see part of the ‘ring of fire’ at the BASF Planetarium”, including photos from the event. (The story was also published in the print edition of the paper on Tuesday, Oct. 17.) Read the story and see photos online.

BASF Planetarium is also hosting a Fall Astronomy Night next Saturday, October 21 from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM to highlight the night sky. Read more online and RSVP to attend.

Upcoming solar eclipse event featured in The Facts

BASF Planetarium has been gearing up for the October 14 “Ring of Fire” annular solar eclipse since early September, offering weekly showings of “All About Eclipses” in the fulldome planetarium to educate the public about eclipses and what they can expect on Saturday. The planetarium and The Center’s box office have been selling safe eclipse glasses for two for $5 and have seen sales spike in recent days.

Members of the community are invited to watch the eclipse outside the planetarium on Saturday (10/14) from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, when volunteers will be on hand to answer questions, provide demonstrations and sell more glasses.

The Facts previewed the eclipse and the planetarium’s event in a feature, “Ring of fire: Annular eclipse Saturday to darken skies, could hurt eyes”, in today’s (10/12) paper, including photos from recent planetarium shows.

Read the article online and make plans to join us at the planetarium on Saturday!

“Astronaut” Planetarium Show

What does it take to become an astronaut? Take a journey from Earth into space and beyond. Experience a rocket launch from inside the human body, and float around inside the International Space Station. Narrated by Ewan McGregor, this exciting fulldome presentation lets you discover the perils that lurk in space as we subject ‘Chad’, our test astronaut, to everything that space has to throw at him.

TICKETS:

Planetarium members: FREE

Non-members: $5

“Accidental Astronauts” Planetarium Show

Join Cy, Annie and their dog Armstrong on their class trip as they journey into space! Explore the sun, earth, and moon with a witty spaceship computer as navigator and guide. Race along the moon’s surface, collect an asteroid sample and survive a solar storm. Find new appreciation for the unique beauty of our planet on this exciting adventure!

FREE for members
$5/Non-members

“All About Eclipses” Planetarium Show

solar eclipse

Join BASF Planetarium in early October for “All About Eclipses”! Texas will be at the center of 2 solar eclipses in the next year. Join us to learn about the different kinds of eclipses, how they happen, and why we don’t get eclipses every month. Find out how to view the upcoming solar eclipse on October 14 as it passes over Texas.

Star & Space Story Time

Join BASF Planetarium for a FREE “Star & Space Story Time” on Saturdays 12:30 PM. Each week will feature a different “Space themed” story book for children. Reserve FREE tickets by clicking here!

October Schedule:
October 7 – Sun! One in a Billion

October 14 – Who Ate the Sun

October 21 – Luna Lucy

October 28 – Luna Lucy & the Planets

BASF Planetarium to host Solar Eclipse, Fall Astronomy Night events in October

It’s been more than six years since a solar eclipse was visible from the United States, but local astronomy fans will be treated to two in the span of seven months. An annular eclipse will occur on October 14, 2023, followed by a total eclipse on April 8, 2024.

 

Volunteers at BASF Planetarium have been gearing up for the upcoming Ring of Fire solar eclipse since early September, presenting a weekly fulldome planetarium show, All About Eclipses, and offering eclipse glasses for sale to visitors.

 

Local skywatchers are invited to observe the eclipse at the planetarium at the Ring of Fire Annular Solar Eclipse Event, planned from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 14. This event is FREE and open to the public, but an RSVP is requested. RSVP HERE!

 

Eclipse glasses will be for sale for 2 for $5 at the planetarium during the event. Please remember that it is never safe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection designed for solar viewing.

 

During the annular eclipse, the moon will almost completely cover the sun, causing the “ring of fire” affect. This rare eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly in front of the sun. Viewers across the country will be able to see at least a partial eclipse, with those from Oregon to Texas experiencing the best view.

 

The eclipse will begin at 10:27 AM when the moon will first touch the sun’s edge. At 11:58 AM, viewers will experience the maximum eclipse when the moon will be closest to the center of the sun. The eclipse will conclude by 1:38 PM when the moon will leave the sun’s edge.

 

The planetarium will present the fulldome planetarium show All About Eclipses on the following dates:

  • Tuesdays, October 3 & 10 at 7:00 PM
  • Fridays, October 6 & 13 at 1:00 PM
  • Saturday, October 7 at 2:30 PM

 

In addition to the solar eclipse event on October 14, visitors are invited to attend BASF Planetarium’s Fall Astronomy Night to experience the wonders of the night sky on Saturday, October 21 from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Join us for demonstrations and night sky viewing through telescopes.

 

See the planetarium’s upcoming events and show schedules online for October, including weekly planetarium shows, Star & Space Story time and family-friendly Saturday afternoon shows!