Partial Solar Eclipse at BASF Planetarium

Local skywatchers are invited to observe the solar eclipse at BASF Planetarium from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM on Monday, April 8. This event is FREE and open to the public!

 

The eclipse will begin locally at 12:18 PM when the moon will first touch the sun’s edge. At 1:38 PM, viewers will experience the maximum eclipse when the moon will be closest to the center of the sun. The eclipse will conclude by 2:59 PM when the moon will leave the sun’s edge.

 

Eclipse glasses will be on sale for 2/$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.

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!

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!