RIT, RMSC invite community to observe total lunar eclipse

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Rochester’s science community is gearing up for the total lunar eclipse on Sunday, May 15.

A total lunar eclipse will turn the moon red around 10:27 p.m.

The Rochester Institute of Technology is inviting Rochesterians to come to the RIT Observatory for an open house and watch the moon as it tries to hide in the Earth’s shadow.

Attendees can enjoy the slow-motion spectacle by looking through the RIT Observatory’s telescopes and binoculars. Faculty and students from RIT’s College of Science will be on hand to teach visitors how to recognize constellations and answer questions about the planets, stars, and space.

Attendees are encouraged to dress warmly and bring a flashlight or phone, as well as portable chairs. The open house will go from 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Sunday night, and is free and open to the public.

The RIT Observatory is located just off the RIT campus at 645 John Street, Rochester, NY 14623. Registration is not required.

More information can be found here.

The Rochester Museum & Science Center’s Strasenburgh Planetarium will also host an event as a wind-up to the eclipse.

Rochester-based jazz-funk-electronic ensemble Vanishing Sun is performing as the opening act starting at 5:30 p.m. and the planetarium has added a special showing of "The Sky Tonight" at 9 p.m. which explains what causes a lunar eclipse and how to best see one. The show will end around 9:45 p.m.

Click here to buy tickets.