The Glastonbury Planetarium will hold the Eclipse 2017 Observing Event on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in the field next to the planetarium. The event will run from noon to 4:00 p.m., with the point of maximum eclipse occurring at 2:45 p.m. local time. Viewing will be from the field next to the planetarium. We suggest people bring blankets, lawn chairs, etc.
The Great American Eclipse of 2017 will be the first total solar eclipse in the contiguous United States since 1979. Although the Connecticut area is not in the line of totality, nearly 70 percent of the sun's surface will be obscured by the moon. For those who are not able to travel to areas of the country where the total eclipse is visible, this event will be the best chance to safely view the partial eclipse in all of Connecticut.
We have a supply of solar viewers for guests. Planetarium staff will have a few properly-filtered telescopes. There will also be several short presentations during the event for those interested in learning more about the eclipse itself and the science behind it as well as a live stream on the planetarium dome.
Tickets are not needed, but do to high interest it would be helpful if you registered. We'd like to have an idea of just how many guests to expect.
We look forward to seeing you under the stars of our dome.
Partial solar eclipse at Hartford
Hartford experiences a maximum of 66.8% partial eclipse. Drive to the path of total eclipse to see nature's grandest spectacle. Drive time is 12 hours and 39 minutes. It is 813 miles to eclipse center line.
1:25:25 p.m. EDT, eclipse begins
2:45:22 p.m. EDT, maximum eclipse
3:59:33 p.m. EDT, eclipse ends
Partial solar eclipse lasts 2 hours, 34 minutes, 7 seconds.
Please contact us at [email protected] or (860) 633 - 4455 ext 4923 with questions.