草莓社区

草莓社区 invites the community to look to the skies in March as the Jack C. Davis Observatory hosts a special Lunar Eclipse Party along with its popular Star Parties.

The Lunar Eclipse Party is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, March 2-3, from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. at the observatory on WNC鈥檚 Carson City campus. The free event offers night owls a rare opportunity to witness a total lunar eclipse 鈥� the next visible total eclipse of this kind in the area won鈥檛 occur until 2029.

鈥淓vents like these reflect 草莓社区鈥檚 commitment to providing accessible, hands-on learning experiences for our community,鈥� said WNC President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe. 鈥淭he Jack C. Davis Observatory is a remarkable resource that brings science to life and inspires curiosity about the universe for learners of all ages.鈥�

At 3:04 a.m. Tuesday, the Moon will move into the Earth鈥檚 shadow, reaching maximum eclipse at approximately 3:33 a.m., when it is expected to display its deepest red hue. With forecasts calling for mostly clear skies early Tuesday morning, attendees may be treated to a spectacular celestial show.

"Mostly we'll focus on watching the eclipse progress and taking about eclipses in general," said JCDO Director Dr. Thomas Herring. "We'll also look at some nebulas and star clusters as viewing allows."

In addition to the eclipse event, the observatory will continue its bi-monthly Star Parties on March 14 and 21 from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. These free community gatherings provide opportunities to explore planets, stars and distant galaxies through high-powered telescopes while learning from knowledgeable volunteers and staff.

The Jack C. Davis Observatory is located at 2269 Vanpatten Ave. on the northern end of the Carson City campus. All events are free and open to the public.

For more information about upcoming observatory events, visit wnc.edu/observatory.