STAFF REPORT
Glasgow News 1
Mammoth Cave National Park is inviting visitors to stay out a little later Thursday, Aug. 27, for a special program centered around a near-total lunar eclipse expected to cover roughly 96-percent of the Moon’s visible surface.
The event will begin at 7 p.m. at the Mammoth Cave National Park Amphitheater, where park rangers will discuss lunar eclipses, including what causes them and what visitors can expect to see later that evening.
At 8 p.m., the program will move to the visitor center bus loop for night sky viewing ahead of the partial eclipse, which is expected to begin at 9:33 p.m.
As the Moon passes through Earth’s shadow, much of its visible surface will gradually darken and take on the reddish or copper color commonly associated with a lunar eclipse. Maximum eclipse is expected at approximately 11:12 p.m., when about 96-percent of the Moon will be covered by Earth’s darker inner shadow.
Lunar eclipses themselves aren’t exceptionally rare, but Thursday’s will be an unusually deep one for local viewers.
Rangers and night sky volunteers from the WKU Hilltopper Astronomy Club and Dark Sky Kentucky will have telescopes available at the bus loop, allowing visitors to get a closer look at the Moon and other objects in the night sky while waiting for the eclipse to reach its peak.
The ranger-led portion of the viewing will conclude at 11 p.m., though visitors are welcome to remain at the bus loop to watch the eclipse reach its maximum shortly afterward.
Park officials recommend visitors bring a chair or blanket, bug spray, water, binoculars if available and a flashlight equipped with a red-light setting. Unlike a solar eclipse, no special eye protection is required to safely view a lunar eclipse.
The program is free and reservations are not required.
Night sky viewing will be dependent on weather conditions. The amphitheater program will still take place if skies are cloudy though the outdoor viewing portion may be canceled if conditions prevent observation of the eclipse.
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