OSC: Total Lunar Eclipse: A Celestial Celebration
Join the Ontario Science Centre on the evening of Sunday September 27 to view the last total lunar eclipse until January 2018! Rain or shine!
• Witness the spectacle of the brightest and largest full Moon of the year as it moves into the Earth’s shadow and turns dark red!
• Attend a 7 pm screening of the film IMAX® Hubble at the special price of $9!
• Gaze at celestial objects through telescopes (weather permitting).
• Learn about the Moon and the solar system with displays and live demonstrations.
A total lunar eclipse is one of the few celestial events that is best observed with the naked eye; however we will have telescopes on hand for visitors to view the Moon and other celestial objects up-close.
* This is an outdoor event and will take place rain or shine! If it's cloudy or raining we will live stream the eclipse. Telescope observing is weather permitting.
What is a total lunar eclipse?
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the full Moon passes into the shadow cast by the Earth.
When can I see it?
The Moon will enter the shadow of the Earth starting at 9:07 pm EDT. Once the Moon is completely immersed in the Earth’s shadow at 10:11 pm EDT, the lunar surface will turn dark red due to the sunlight filtering through the Earth’s atmosphere. This dark red colour will last for 72 minutes with maximum totality at 10:47 pm EDT.
Where can I see it?
The total lunar eclipse will be visible all across Canada in the eastern sky.
Why is this eclipse so special?
Lunar eclipses are quite rare events and this will be the last total lunar eclipse until January 2018. This lunar eclipse is also particularly special because it is occurring during the closest full Moon of the year, referred to as perigee or colloquially as a “supermoon”. A “supermoon” occurs four to six times each year, making them quite common. Even more rare and noticeable than the Moon’s marginal extra brightness and size, however, will be its golden colour as it rises due to its proximity to the autumnal equinox (the first day of autumn), giving this full Moon its name: the Harvest Moon. The next Harvest Moon eclipse will occur in September 2025, where the next “supermoon” eclipse will occur in 2033.
Who can attend: Everyone
Fee: FREE with a special $9 price for the film IMAX® Hubble. Parking is available on site for $10.
Registration: Not required
Organized by: Ontario Science Centre
Location: Ontario Science Centre (In front of the Science Centre on the TELUSCAPE)