Observatory open to public viewing of partial solar eclipse

The ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Observatory will be open to the public to view the partial solar eclipse on Thursday, October 23, 2014.

New Staff - 21 October 2014

(Edmonton) Edmonton is well-placed to view a partial solar eclipse on Thursday, October 23. The partial eclipse is the result of the moon passing between the Earth and the Sun. From Edmonton's vantage point, approximately 70% of the Sun's disk will be covered.

The ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Observatory will be open for this event from 2:30 to 5:30 pm. Everyone is welcome and admission is free. Visitors will be given free eclipse viewing glasses. In addition, solar-filtered telescopes will be set up so that everyone can safely view the eclipse.

Times (Mountain Daylight Time)

2:30 pm - Observatory opens to the public

2:41 pm - Partial eclipse begins. Sun in SSW part of the sky

4:03 pm - Maximum eclipse. Approximately 70% of the Sun covered by the Moon.

5:19 pm - Partial eclipse ends. Sun low in the west southwest.

The observatory's weekly Thursday evening public hours begin at 8:00 pm. Visitors can view the night sky through the roof-top telescopes. In addition, Dr. Carsten Krauss will give a public lecture on dark matter. These events are also free of charge.

All public observatory events are open to everyone in the community. No university affiliation is necessary.