Annular Solar Eclipse Viewing: May 20
Sunday, May 20, 2012: ... A late-afternoon Annular Eclipse of the Sun. . .
NASA scientists, amateur astronomers, and the National Park Service will team up to share their telescopes and knowledge with park visitors... followed by an evening South Rim Star Party.
Grand Canyon National Park lies in the path of a rare annular eclipse of the sun, late in the afternoon of May 20, 2012.
o 5:28 p.m.-partial eclipse begins
o 6:34 p.m. - annular eclipse begins
o 6:39 p.m. - annular eclipse ends
o 7:32 p.m. - sun sets while still partially eclipsed
Before the eclipse, at 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., (South Rim only): NASA scientists will offer a free program about eclipses and the latest NASA research relating to the sun and moon. Seating is limited: free tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 8:00 a.m. on May 20 at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center.
To view the eclipse with National Park Service rangers:
Check posted signs upon arrival in the park for location of assisted viewing activities.On the South Rim, amateur astronomers and NASA scientists will share their telescopes with the public both during the eclipse and again after dark for a one-night "Star Party.
On both rims, at posted locations rangers will use pinhole cameras and/or "solar projection" to show additional images of the eclipsed sun, and will have a limited number of eclipse glasses to share.
To view the eclipse on your own:
You can watch the eclipse unfold from any Grand Canyon viewpoint that offers a clear view of the western horizon (since the annular portion of the eclipse occurs within an hour of sunset). Any of the more famous sunset locations will do.
Amateur Astronomers give this rule of thumb for solar eclipse viewing:
Get ready for the Transit of Venus on June 5 !
The afternoon of Tuesday, June 5, 2012 will be the last chance in our lifetimes to see Venus pass directly between ourselves and the sun. (There will not be another Venus tranist until December 11, 2117)On the South Rim, join park rangers and amateur astronomers with their solar telescopes to view the transit. Learn more...
Grand Canyon's 22nd Annual Star Party will be held on both South and North Rims from June 16-23, 2012.For eight days in June, park visitors will explore the wonders of the night sky on Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim with the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association and on the North Rim with the Saguaro Astronomy Club of Phoenix.
Amateur astronomers from across the country will volunteer their expertise and will offer free nightly astronomy programs and free telescope viewing. LEARN MORE HERE
Last updated: August 26, 2012