As the Moon slides completely into Earth’s shadow – a spectacle known as a total lunar eclipse – this weekend, Western will host ‘Supermoon Sunday,’ a public viewing and information night during the eclipse, from 8-11:30 p.m. Sunday at the Hume Cronyn Memorial Observatory.
The event will feature space experts giving presentation throughout the evening on lunar eclipses, while various telescopes will be pointed to the Moon. Western researchers and scientists, as well as a number of local astronomers, will also be available for questions and assistance. Entrance is free.
“Observing a lunar eclipse does not require any tools or instruments and can be enjoyed by anybody from any location with a clear sky,” Physics and Astronomy Jan Cami said. “If you would however like to look at the eclipsed Moon through a variety of telescopes, learn more about the Moon or about eclipses, and talk to professional and amateur astronomers, this is a great opportunity.”
For southwestern Ontario, this will be the last chance to observe a total lunar eclipse until January 2019.
Supermoon Sunday is sponsored by the Department of Physics and Astronomy, in collaboration with the Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration (CPSX), Canadian Lunar Research Network (CLRN) and Royal Astronomical Society of Canada’s London Centre.