Solar Eclipse | Department of Physics and Astronomy

Eclipse Viewing

Eclipse@KU
11:30-1:30 Monday, August 21 at Shenk Sports Complex

On August 21, 2017, Lawrence, Kansas, will be in the path of a solar eclipse. It’s estimated that 99.3% of the sun will be blocked. Join the KU Department of Physics and Astronomy and the KU Natural History Museum at the Shenk Sports Complex to view the eclipse and learn more about this solar phenomenon when it peaks at about 1:10 pm. Free eclipse glasses provided.* The family-friendly, drop-in event includes science and art activities, telescope viewing with astronomers, and food trucks that will offer lunch.

More details coming soon.

*Remember, it’s never safe to look at the sun, even with regular sunglasses. To safely view the eclipse, you will need special eclipse glasses.

Astronomy Events and Resources in Lawrence

Astronomy Associates of Lawrence

This community/university organization meets monthly during the school year at the Baker Wetlands Discovery Center. If skies are clear, club members set up telescopes after their meeting to help visitors see the moon, stars, star clusters, galaxies and planets.
In the summer, AAL members provide access to telescope views of the heavens following Lawrence city band concerts in South Park. This year’s scheduled dates are May 31, June 14 & 28, July 12. Look for club members – if the skies are clear! – in the north end of the park on the west side of Massachusetts St. For more information about the club and its activities, visit their webpage at http://physics.ku.edu/AAL or follow Astronomy Associates of Lawrence on Facebook.

Science on Tap

Wednesday, July 19 – 7:30 p.m.
Free State Brewery
Prof. Barbara Anthony-Twarog
The Great American Eclipse of 2017
Although Earth, moon and sun conspire to produce eclipses of the sun or moon several times each year, total solar eclipses are rare at any one spot on our globe. At this Science on Tap, we’ll discuss what to expect from the August 21, 2017 eclipse and what makes this “the Great American Eclipse.” We’ll also celebrate some of the highlights from 4000 years of human fascination with eclipse events, including a few total eclipses of the sun that provided game-changing scientific insights.

The Great American Eclipse 2017

While the path of totality for the August 21, 2017 eclipse will not pass over Lawrence, our view of the sun will be more than 99% blocked by the moon at the eclipse maximum (about 1:07 p.m.). Weather permitting, KU Physics & Astronomy and the Museum of Natural History will provide safe views of the eclipse and additional activities at the Shenk Sports Complex on Clinton Parkway near campus.
At that venue, various ways to safely view the sun before, during and after the deepest part of the eclipse will be available to visitors, including safety glasses and specially designed telescopes. It is important to know that even with the sun covered more than 99%, it is NOT safe to look directly at the sun without specially designed equipment or appropriate safety glasses. The eclipse glasses we are able to provide have been provided by the American Astronomical Society and Google, the University of Kansas and the Department of Physics & Astronomy for your safe use.
If you would care to provide a free-will donation in return for glasses, we’ll put those funds towards equipment for our August event. We also ask you to take no more than 5 pairs and attest that they will be for personal use, not resold. Sign-up sheet and glasses are available in the Physics & Astronomy Office in Malott Hall, room 1082.

Additional Information About the Eclipse

For authoritative eclipse times for various locations: http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/Eclipse2017.php
How to make a pinhole camera: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/learn/project/how-to-make-a-pinhole-camera /
3-D print your own US- or state-shaped pinhole camera: https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/3d-printable-pinhole-projectors

Other Reputable/Useful Sites:

News Pieces/Interviews/Public Talks:

Live streams of eclipse:

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