TAMIU LBV Planetarium Invites Public to Telescopic Observation of ‘Supermoon’ Lunar Eclipse Sunday

            Texas A&M International University’s Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium invites the public to a telescopic observation of the ‘Supermoon’ Lunar Eclipse this Sunday, Sept. 27 from 8-11 p.m. at the east end of the Lamar Bruni Vergara Science Center. There is no charge to attend.

            Peter Davis, Planetarium director, said there would not be another eclipse in which the moon is this close to the earth until 2033.

            Those coming to the observation are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and dress warmly, Davis said.

            Davis explained that a lunar eclipse happens when the moon moves through the shadow of the earth.

            “Lunar eclipses always occur when the moon is opposite of the sun and the moon is therefore in full moon phase,” he said, “This year, the moon is very close to the perigee, which is the closest point in its orbit around the earth, so it will appear 13 percent larger than it did in last April’s lunar eclipse.”

             The moon will appear to be especially large, not just because it is closer to the earth, but also because it will be low on the horizon in the eastern sky when the eclipse begins. Because of this, the type of eclipse occurring on Sunday is also known as a “Supermoon” eclipse, Davis said.

            For more information, please call Davis at 956.326.3128 or e-mail peter.davis@tamiu.edu Visit the Planetarium at http://www.tamiu.edu/planetarium/

University office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday –Friday.

            University information is also available at tamiu.edu and on social media sites on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.