Our Sun, the nearest star, is basically a featureless disk with a gaseous surface.  But seen under special circumstances, the star that keeps us all alive, comes to life itself with sunspots, a chromosphere and prominenses.  These features are waiting to be observed at the August 21, 2017 total solar eclipse across central Nebraska.  This weekend you can start to make your plans to observe the 2017 solar eclipse!

You are invited to Northeast Nebraska Astronomy Club (NENAC) Friday, November 13 at 7pm at the Lyons Library and Saturday, November 14 at 7pm at the Decatur Sears Center.  There Pastor Gary Fugman will lead you on a fascinating journey of discovery in the realm of eclipses and solar eclipses in particular.  You will learn about Baily’s Beads and pinhole camera associated with solar eclipses.You will learn about how a total solar eclipse was used to confirm Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity.  Even more exciting, learn about details of the coming 2017 total solar eclipse!

Then, weather permitting, using free star charts, we will on Friday observe the November deep sky objects from Bill Hedges’ “Lost in Space” Observatory in Lyons.  On Saturday we observe from Fugman Observatory on the south side of Decatur.  Please dress warmly as temperatures fall quickly after sunset.

For more information on this and future NENAC events, google “nenacstars” or call Pastor Gary Fugman at 349-1953, and Keep Looking Up!

Questions to Consider:

1) During a total lunar eclipse, what would someone on the Moon see when looking toward the Sun?

2) Why is important that you be in a particular place on Earth to see a total solar eclipse?