Under the Crimson Moon – Total Lunar Eclipse

Where: Frosty Drew Observatory in Ninigret Park
When: Sunday, May 15, 2022, 9:00 pm – Monday, May 16, 2022, 3:00 am
Cost: $5 Admission per person 5 years and older

Overnight Sunday, May 15, 2022, to Monday, May 16, 2022, a total lunar eclipse will take place, and it will be visible to all in New England. This will be an awesome night, and Frosty Drew Observatory will open at 9:00 pm to celebrate the event and offer excellent views of the eclipse. They will remain open until 3:00 am, after the end of the eclipse.

A lunar eclipse happens when the Moon passes into Earth’s shadow during a full lunar phase. Since this eclipse will be a total eclipse, the entire Moon will pass into the Earth’s dark shadow, called the Umbra. During the period of totality (total eclipse) the Moon will glow a crimson red. This happens because sunlight filters through Earth’s atmosphere effectively scattering the violet side of the visible spectrum of light.

The eclipse will begin at 9:32 pm Monday night as a dimming of one side of the Moon. At 10:28 pm a chunk of the Moon will start to appear missing (partial eclipse). The total eclipse of the Moon will start at 11:29 pm with maximum totality occurring at 12:11 am and ending at 12:54 am. Once totality ends, the partial eclipse will continue until 1:55 am.

A live stream of the lunar eclipse will be shown on the big screen in the Frosty Drew Sky Theatre. The Observatory will be open for tours, although the main telescope will remain closed. Telescopes will be set up outside the observatory offering views of the night sky and the lunar eclipse.

Frosty Drew Observatory invites you to “dust off those binoculars, grab a blanket or lawn chair, bring some tasty eats and your family and friends, and hang out with us in Ninigret Park under the crimson Moon.”