York University: Luna Palooza
The full Moon in September is traditionally referred to as the Harvest Moon, the full Moon that is temporally closest to the Autumnal Equinox (September 23 in 2015). As it turns out, this September’s full Moon represents the closest distance a full Moon gets relative to the Earth for this calendar year (a mere 356, 877 km). This makes it a so-called “supermoon” as it appears marginally larger and brighter than other full Moons throughout the year.
If all this was not enough to lure you outside on Sunday evening September 27, a total lunar eclipse will take place starting with first contact at 9:07 PM EDT. Indeed this will be the last total lunar eclipse visible from southern Ontario until January 2018 and that chilly event will be occurring early in the morning.
A lunar eclipse occurs as the full Moon passes into the shadow cast by the Earth into space. As such, the reflected light from the Moon will steadily be decreased until at 10:11 PM EDT the Moon will be completely immersed in our planet’s shadow causing the previously bright full moonlight to appear a very dark and dull reddish orange. This year’s eclipse, the fourth such total lunar eclipse in a row for Toronto residents, will have a totality phase lasting about 1 hour and 12 minutes, ample time to get a great look at not only a subdued lunar landscape but the constellations of the Fall sky. The eclipse concludes with fourth contact at 12:27 AM EDT Monday September 28.
The York University Astronomical Observatory and the Astronomy Club at York will be hosting “Luna Palooza” starting at 8 PM EDT Sunday September 27 and running to midnight. In addition to the telescopes of the Observatory exploring both the lunar surface during the eclipse and the other interesting celestial objects visible in September, multiple portable telescopes and binoculars will be setup on the grass surface of the adjacent PanAm Stadium. This is an opportunity for everyone to come out and experience one of Nature’s great spectacles and do so with the knowledgeable students and faculty of the York University Observatory. Admission is free. We would ask that visitors arrive at the PanAm Stadium by 9 PM as the surrounding lights will be extinguished at that time to allow the best possible views of the night sky.
Dress for the weather as this event will occur outside. We look forward to you joining us at this wonderful astronomical event.
Who can attend: Everyone
Fee: Free
Registration: Not required
Organized by: Astronomy Club at York University, York University Observatory and York University's Faculty of Science
Location: PanAm Stadium & York Observatory, York University, 4700 Keele St, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3