UCC Observatory to Host Public Viewing of Near-Total Lunar Eclipse Thursday

ROSEBURG, Ore. - Douglas County residents will have a chance to watch one of the more impressive lunar eclipses visible from Oregon in years Thursday night, with Umpqua Community College opening its observatory for a special public viewing.

The Paul Morgan Observatory at UCC will host a Near Total Lunar Eclipse viewing Thursday, August 27, beginning at 8:30 p.m.

UCC describes the eclipse as one of Oregon's best lunar eclipses of the next decade. During the event, Earth's shadow will cover nearly the entire visible surface of the Moon.

The observatory plans to show the eclipse in real time on its large screens, while additional telescopes will be available for visitors to use throughout the evening. Families are welcome, and visitors do not have to remain for the entire program.

Eclipse Reaches Its Peak Around 9:12 P.M.

For Roseburg, the eclipse will already be underway by the time the Moon rises Thursday evening.

The Moon is expected to rise at approximately 7:48 p.m., with the eclipse reaching its maximum at about 9:12 p.m. At that point, the Moon will be deep inside Earth's shadow and only a relatively small portion will remain outside the darkest part of the shadow.

The partial phase is expected to end at approximately 10:51 p.m., followed by the much more subtle penumbral portion of the eclipse until shortly after midnight.

Because the Moon will be low on the eastern horizon when it first rises, the view should gradually improve as it climbs higher into the sky leading up to the 9:12 p.m. maximum.

Unlike a solar eclipse, no special eye protection is needed to watch a lunar eclipse. It can be viewed safely with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope.

A Different Kind of Observatory Experience

The Paul Morgan Observatory is designed differently from the traditional experience of visitors taking turns looking through a telescope eyepiece.

The facility uses digital cameras connected to its telescopes to produce real-time color images of the Moon, planets and deep-sky objects. Those images can then be displayed on large monitors, allowing groups of visitors to see what the telescope is observing at the same time.

UCC says the observatory is accessible for wheelchair viewing and is designed to accommodate group astronomy programs.

Visitors are also welcome to bring their own binoculars or telescopes. Local amateur astronomers with Umpqua Astronomers regularly assist with public programs at the observatory.

Where to Park

The observatory is located near the Tower Building on the UCC campus at 1140 Umpqua College Road north of Roseburg.

Parking immediately around the Tower Building is limited. UCC recommends using the larger parking area near the Technology Center below the observatory and walking up the hill. Those needing accessible parking are encouraged to arrive early because spaces near the observatory are limited.

For an outdoor astronomy program, visitors may also want to bring a folding chair or blanket and a light jacket as temperatures cool after sunset.

Weather Currently Looks Favorable

As of Tuesday morning, the National Weather Service forecast for the Roseburg area calls for mostly clear skies Thursday night, with temperatures falling into the mid-50s.

That could provide favorable conditions for viewing the eclipse, although the forecast may change as Thursday approaches.

UCC says its outdoor observatory programs can generally continue under cloudy conditions, with rain being the primary reason for cancellation.

The Thursday night program is open to the community, giving local residents an opportunity to see the eclipse both directly overhead and through the observatory's equipment as Earth's shadow moves across the Moon.