Date: 3/13/2025
Time: 11:59 PM - 2:30 AM
Location: Neckers lawn, SIU Carbondale
11:59 PM to 2:30 AM - Neckers lawn, SIU Carbondale: Total Lunar Eclipse at SIU Carbondale March 13 – 14, 2025 FREE Public Astronomy Observation on the Neckers building south west lawn.11:59pm CT, Thursday, March 13, 2025 –2:30am, Friday, March 14, 2025 A total lunar eclipse will be visible over most of the Americas on March 13 and 14, 2025. Often referred to as a Blood Moon, the Moon will appear to go through different phases this evening and turn a deep orange / red color for about 1 hour during totality from roughly 1:30 am – 2:30am CT. It is at this time that the earth blocks direct light from the Sun and we see light refracted by the Earth’s atmosphere projected on the Moon. It is for this reason that the Moon appears the color of a sunset, the exact color depending on the amount of particles or dust in the atmosphere at the time of the eclipse. The public is invited to join members of the SIU School of Physics, the STEM Education Research Center, the Astronomical Association of Southern Illinois and the Adler Planetarium this evening on the southwest side of the Neckers building for free, guided telescope viewings and special activities during peak eclipse hours from midnight to 2:30am. Outdoor enthusiasts are invited to be part of a special program, “Half of the magic and majesty of living on Earth happens at night;” a nature walk under the eclipsed moon led by Experiential Education Specialist and Researcher Steve Gariepy. This event is outside and weather dependent; DRESS APPROPRIATELY. Neckers 240 will be open with live stream views of the eclipse from other locations. Lawn chairs, blankets, telescopes, photographic equipment and coolers are allowed, please No Alcohol. Parking available in Lot #47 between the Public Policy Institute and Neckers building. The south end of the parking lot will be blocked to keep headlights from shining into the observation area. Some lighting will be on in this area, but we encourage visitors to keep white lights to a minimum in the telescope area. Visitors who plan to bring their own telescope or photographic equipment are welcome to arrive early and keep their equipment set up for the entire eclipse. No tickets are required for this event. For more information or for special accommodations, call SIU Events and Outreach at (618) 536-7751or email events@siu.edu. Schedule 11:59pm, March 13 Telescope observations beginGather for nature walk at telescope area. Adler Planetarium Sky Observer’s Hangout goes live Neckers 240 open to visitors 12:09am, March 14: U1, Partial phase of eclipse begins. 1:26am: U2, Beginning of totality 1:30am: Nature walk returns to telescope area 1:45am: Cosmic Surfing , Description: Beginning at 1:45 am, Steve will also facilitate his version of R. Buckminster Fuller’s activity Cosmic Surfing, training you to be a Cosmic Surfer, and Cosmic Surfing instructor for your friends and family. 1:59am: Greatest Eclipse (middle of totality) 2:30am: Public programming ends 2:32am: U3, End of totality 3:48am: U4, Partial phase of eclipse ends.
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