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Eclipses Across Illinois

The Sun with about 1/4 of the upper right part of its yellow and orange disk partially eclipsed by the Moon and white drawings of the sun and stars around the outer edges of the image with the hashtag "Equipped To Eclipse"

Eclipse obsessed? Catch two solar eclipses with the Adler Planetarium.

It’s not every day that you get to see a solar eclipse from your backyard. The stars (well, one star, a planet, and a moon) are lining up to give us the opportunity to see two solar eclipses, six months apart! On October 14, 2023, and April 8, 2024, solar eclipses will be visible across North America, including here in Illinois. Learn how you can celebrate the Sun with us in the coming year at the museum and wherever you are! Let’s get equipped to eclipse.

Tell Me More About The Upcoming Solar Eclipses

Adler Planetarium infographic with a twilight background and two people wearing solar observing glasses looking up at a circle outlined in a yellow halo with one of the people pointing up to the circle
Image Caption: Adler Planetarium Look Up infographic depicting a total solar eclipse with two people looking up at it with solar glasses on.

A solar eclipse occurs when the Sun, the Moon, and Earth line up, and the Moon (which is between the Sun and Earth) temporarily blocks the Sun’s light. The kind of eclipse you see from your location depends on the Moon’s orbital path across Earth’s surface and how far away the Moon is from Earth and from the Sun.

There are three different types of solar eclipses: partial, total, and annular. A partial solar eclipse is when the Moon partly covers the Sun—it usually looks like a bite has been taken out of it! A total solar eclipse is when the Moon totally covers the Sun. An annular solar eclipse happens when the Moon appears a little smaller in the sky than the Sun, so it cannot fully block the Sun’s rays. During an annular eclipse, you’ll see a bright ring around the edges of the Moon with the Sun peeking out from behind it.

The solar eclipse on October 14, 2023, will be either an annular or partial solar eclipse depending on your location. The April 8, 2024, solar eclipse will either be a total or partial solar eclipse depending on your location. Learn what type of eclipse you’ll be able to see (if it isn’t cloudy, of course!).

How To Safely View Solar Eclipses

A hand holding a gray rectangular cardboard card with the center a black solar filtering film and white drawings of stars and the sun along the edges, hashtag "Equipped To Eclipse" and Adler Planetarium logo above the film, and Institute of Museum of Library Services logo and information below the film. In the background is a building and a large sundial.
Image Caption: Adler Planetarium #EquippedToEclipse solar viewer being held up by a hand in front of the Adler Planetarium and a large outdoor sundial.

You must always use proper solar viewing equipment when looking up at any type of solar eclipse. Regular sunglasses are NOT safe for viewing an eclipse, and irreversible eye damage can occur in seconds.

Certified solar viewing glasses or viewers are the best way to protect your eyes so you can look up during an eclipse! Check back soon to learn where you can buy certified solar eclipse glasses or viewers.

If you can’t get your hands on a solar viewer or pair of solar glasses, make a pinhole projector to see the eclipse!

Astro Road Trip (May 15–May 19)

One person standing in front of a gray van with "Adler Planetarium" written on the van door and another person sitting inside the driver's seat of the van. In the background is the Adler Planetarium with a cloudy blue sky and a circular yellow logo with a gray car and "Astro Road Trip" written on it.
Image Caption: Astro Road Trip astronomy educators posing with the Adler Planetarium van in front of the Adler Planetarium.

We’re packing up our solar observing telescopes, putting gas in the Adler van, and heading down to Southern Illinois this May!

During Astro Road Trip, our astronomy educators will visit libraries, schools, restaurants, and science centers where you can participate in hands-on astronomy activities and (weather permitting) look up at the Sun through our specialized solar-filtered telescopes.

ASTRO ROAD TRIP SCHEDULE

May 15, 2023 @ Marion Carnegie Library in Marion, IL

4:30 pm–6:00 pm
206 S Market St
Marion, IL, 62959
What will we be observing? The Sun

May 17, 2023 @ The Science Center in Carbondale, IL

2:30 pm–4:30 pm
1237 E Main St Space 1048
Carbondale, IL, 62901
What will we be observing? The Sun

May 17, 2023 @ Bottoms Up Family Bar & Grill in Jacob, IL

8:00 pm–9:00 pm
3683 Neunert Rd
Jacob, IL, 62950
What will we be observing? The Sun

Adler Planetarium Eclipse Event

A child standing looking through a telescope during the day with a person behind the telescope wearing a shirt with "Space For Everyone"
Image Caption: Solar telescope observing at the Adler Planetarium with our astronomy educator.

Stay tuned for more information about a special Sky Observers Hangout livestream and public solar eclipse viewing event at the Adler Planetarium for the October 14, 2023, partial solar eclipse.

Southern Illinois University Eclipse Event

Stay tuned for more information about a public solar eclipse viewing event with the Adler Planetarium at Southern Illinois University for the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse.

Thanks To Our Sponsors

Our solar eclipse project is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services MA-251510-OMS-22.

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