LSC celebrates Ring of Fire eclipse, despite the rainy weather
Even a rainy day can’t stop us!
On Oct. 14, 2023, Liberty Science Center celebrated the Ring of Fire eclipse, despite the lousy weather outside.
This kind of eclipse was called a “Ring of Fire” eclipse because in some areas—including parts of the US—the moon was exactly in the middle of the sun’s disc, causing the appearance of a bright ring of sunlight surrounding the moon.
While there were clouds and rain during the entire eclipse, LSC came prepared anyway!
LSC Planetarium Director Mike Shanahan hosted a live webcast of the eclipse from noon to 2:30 pm, in a space equipped with a large screen, audio system, internet access, and light controls. Guests filled the room to learn about the eclipse and watch the event in action!
Guests also received free, safe eclipse glasses, and Mike showed audiences how to use them by looking at a brilliant halogen lamp. With the glasses on, guests could see the faint glow of the lamp – very similar to the appearance of the eclipsed sun!
These glasses can also be used for the next partial solar eclipse over New Jersey, occurring on April 8, 2024. Mark your calendars now!
Some more highlights of the day included “The Eclipse Show” in the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium; views of the eclipse on our Science on a Sphere (SOS) interactive globe; and hands-on astronomy activities throughout the building exploring different aspects of the sun, moon, and eclipse.
Thanks to everyone who joined us for the amazing day!
