UNB Fredericton opens its observatory to public for rare supermoon lunar eclipse
Author: Communications
Posted on Sep 25, 2015
Category: UNB Fredericton
It’s not everyday (or year) that we get to witness a total lunar eclipse, but on Sunday, Sept. 27 New Brunswick’s top physicists will share their telescopes with the public as we witness the rare occurrence of a total lunar eclipse and a “supermoon”.
The University of New Brunswick (UNB) Observatory, located in the I.U.C. Physics & Admin building at 8 Bailey Dr., will open its doors to the public from 9 p.m. until midnight and all are invited to stop by at anytime to watch this once in a lifetime experience.
“This Sunday we will be able to see a total lunar eclipse and a ‘supermoon’,” said Dan Trojand, teaching support and outreach coordinator with UNB'sdepartment of physics. “A ‘supermoon’ marks the time when the moon comes closest to the Earth, appearing larger than normal,” says Trojand. These lunar events have only coincided five times since 1900 and will not happen again until 2033.
Visitors will have the opportunity to use the rooftop telescope as well as several portable telescopes, which will be spread out near the I.U.C. Physics & Admin building. A professor from the department of physics, Trojand and members of the astronomy club will be available to answer any questions from the public.
The partial eclipse will begin at 10:07 pm with totality reached at 11:47 pm.
For more information about the event, please contact Dan Trojand.
Media contact: Claire Geldart