The University of Saint Francis Schouweiler Planetarium and the Fort Wayne Astronomical Society (FWAS) are offering two locations for area residents to view the total eclipse of the Moon on Sunday evening, September 27. In Fort Wayne, viewing will be available at the University of Saint Francis outside the Achatz Hall of Science, just off Leesburg Road. In New Haven, viewers can go to the Fort Wayne Astronomical Society Observatory at Jefferson Township Park, 1730 South Webster Road.

Those wishing to experience the eclipse with others are invited to visit one or both of the viewing sites any time between the hours of 8:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. Sunday’s lunar eclipse can be seen from any location across North America, between the hours of 9:07 p.m. and 12:27 a.m., weather permitting. No special equipment is needed, simply a clear line of sight to the Moon and a clear sky.

Fort Wayne Astronomical Society members and Schouweiler Planetarium staff will be present to answer questions. Telescopes will be available to watch Earth’s shadow race across the Moon’s craters during partial eclipse phases. During totality (10:11-11:23 p.m.) when the Moon will darken to dull reddish orange, telescopes will be available for fainter celestial objects, including possibly the planets Uranus and Neptune.

The next lunar eclipse will be on January 31, 2018 and not visible from our location.

More information may be found on the Schouweiler Planetarium website planetarium.sf.edu, or the FWAS website www.fortwayneastronomicalsociety.com.