BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Just by looking up at the sky, a partial solar eclipse, the Perseid meteor shower and a partial lunar eclipse will be viewable throughout the month of August. Cranbrook Institute of Science, 39221 Woodward Ave. in Bloomfield Hills, invites guests to celebrate by watching together at three separate events. 
“It’s amazing that we have a solar and a lunar eclipse in the same month, visible in the same area,” said Jan Fiolka, planetarium presenter and observatory technician at Cranbrook Institute of Science. 
Watch the partial solar eclipse

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 12, Cranbrook Institute of Science will hold Discovery Days: Partial Solar Eclipse. The institute encourages the community to join in on safely watching as a portion of the sun is briefly covered by the moon as the moon passes between Earth and the sun. Locally, the partial eclipse will reach maximum coverage at 1:36 p.m., beginning at 1:03 p.m. and ending at 2:08 p.m. 
This event is part of the institute’s Discovery Days program, which is included with general museum admission and free for members.
Since it is not safe to stare directly at the sun, guests will have the opportunity to look at the eclipse by using a sunspotter. There will also be telescopes on-site, brought by members of the Warren Astronomical Society. From 1 to 3 p.m., the Cranbrook Observatory will be open.
In addition to safely observing the eclipse during the event, there will be other activities, such as hands-on demonstrations, experiments and games. 
Fiolka emphasizes the importance of not looking at the eclipse without the proper equipment. Even though some people may have leftover eclipse glasses from a previous event, Fiolka said they can easily be damaged and scratched.
“People have to be extremely careful,” Fiolka said. “You can test the glasses out at home, and if you can look at a bright halogen light bulb and just barely see anything, the glasses are OK, but any other light should not penetrate.”
People can make sure their glasses are from an approved supplier and vendor that meets the strict guidelines for these glasses by checking the American Astronomical Society’s website at eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/viewers-filters. 
View the Perseid meteor shower
The Perseid meteor shower happens annually around this time of year. The institute is beginning its viewing partyat 8 p.m. Aug. 12, ending at 2 a.m.  Aug. 13. It happens as Earth passes debris left in the trail of Comet Swift–Tuttle.
Since there will be a new moon during this year’s Perseid meteor shower, the sky will be dark — which is ideal for stargazing.
“Being a little bit removed from the city. It’s a nice spot to see things at night,” said Lucy Hale, the Susan Flint Cooper director of Cranbrook Institute of Science. 
The event will also include opportunities to participate in astronomy activities, experience a live-narrated planetarium show, take a view from a telescope, participate in a naturalist-led dusk walk and play summer games and mini golf.
Tickets for the general public cost $50 in advance online and $55 on-site, space permitting. Cranbrook Institute of Science members can purchase tickets for $42.50 in advance online or $47.50 on-site, space permitting. The presale will end at noon Aug. 10. Blankets and lawn chairs are encouraged.
Even though this event happens late at night and into the early morning, Hale encourages families to bring their kids to see the meteor shower.
“It’s still the summer because they’re still out of school, so we thought it would be a really fun way for families to come out and enjoy some time together out in nature,” Hale said. 
​​Experience the partial lunar eclipse
Toward the end of August, the institute will be celebrating the partial lunar eclipse with an event beginning at 8 p.m. Aug. 27 and ending at 1 a.m. Aug. 28. 
The lunar eclipse, known as a “Blood Moon” for its reddish glow, will be visible from around 10:30 p.m. until shortly after midnight. 
At the event, there will be planetarium programs, telescope observations, discussions with local astronomers and more. 
General public tickets for the event cost $20 in advance online and $25 on-site, space permitting. Members pay $17.50 in advance online and $22.50 on-site, space permitting. The presale will end at noon Aug. 25. 
For more information on each August Cranbrook Institute of Science event, visit science.cranbrook.edu/visit/events.


Copyright C & G Publishing. All Rights Reserved.
DMCA Notices
Newspaper website content management software and services