Lake Erie Nature & Science Center suggests eyes to the sky on Sept. 27

The eclipse should be observable on Sept. 27 from approximately 9 p.m. until midnight.

A total lunar eclipse will be observable in the night sky on Sunday, Sept. 27. No special equipment, telescopes or eye protection are required to enjoy the phenomena. Simply step outdoors and turn your eyes to the sky! Spectators can expect to see the full, white moon gradually turning red.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon travels through Earth’s shadow in space. The Earth’s shadow is actually not black, as some may expect, but red. This is the result of the planet’s atmosphere acting as a prism and reflecting the red color onto the moon. 

Formally beginning at 8:11 p.m., the first noticeable changes will begin at approximately 9:07 p.m. The transformation is expected to be complete by 10:47 p.m. and the red (or “blood”) moon should be visible until shortly after midnight.

Those interested in getting a preview of the eclipse are invited to attend You-niverse at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center. You-niverse is an ongoing planetarium program designed to provide audiences of all ages with information about what’s occurring in the current night sky. Programs presented from Sept. 20-27 will include information about the lunar eclipse and can be seen Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon and 2 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The program lasts approximately 25 minutes and tickets are $3 per person.

For more information about the lunar eclipse, other planetarium programs or events happening at the Center, please contact 440-871-2900 or lensc.org.