Lunar Eclipse Viewing Event
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Stock Photo, Pixabay
A gathering to view a total lunar eclipse on Sunday, Jan. 20, will be held at the Klamath County Museum, 1451 Main Street.
Amateur astronomers will have telescopes set up by the time the earth’s shadow, known as the umbra, makes first contact with the full moon around 7:30 p.m.
The eclipse reaches totality at 8:40 p.m., and will be completely obscured by shadow for about an hour. Visitors are welcome at the museum anytime between 7:30 and 10 p.m.
“This eclipse will be a fun one to watch, because it will be visible from start to finish in the evening hours,” said museum manager Todd Kepple. “Plus there’s no school on the following day, so staying up late is an option. All we need is a couple of layers of warm clothing and a clear sky.”
An activity geared toward youngsters will help demonstrate how an eclipse happens. Hot chocolate will be provided.
Telescopes are not necessary for viewing the eclipse, but will allow those who attend the museum gathering to see other deep-sky objects, such as the Orion nebula that would normally be washed out by the light of a full moon.
A series of astronomy events is planned by the museum this year. Locations will be announced as dates draw near.
Feb. 23 – Search for Mercury.
March 9 – Earthshine on the moon.
May 11 – Spring Astronomy Day.
June 21 – Mercury meets Mars, with Saturn rising.
August 3 – Astronomy “superstars” Jupiter and Saturn.
Sept. 21 – Moon in the morning.
Oct. 5 – Fall Astronomy Day.
Nov. 11 – Mercury transit across the sun.
Nov. 23 – Venus meets Jupiter.
Dec. 28 – Moon and Venus photo op.
For more information contact the museum at (541) 882-1000.
Press release provided from Klamath County Museum.
