ROCHESTER, NY—Community members are invited to the Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) Strasenburgh Planetarium to safely view the upcoming solar eclipse as well as engage in eclipse activities through a special program and star show this summer. The Eclipses 2017 and 2024 star show will be showing Monday through Saturday from July 5 through September 9, with additional performances on selected Sundays as well as on the date of the 2017 eclipse, August 21. At a family program called Exploring Science: Earth & Space, taking place from 11am-3pm from Friday, August 18 through Monday, August 21 at the museum, visitors get hands-on with science experiments and engage with community scientists and astronomy enthusiasts.
On Monday, August 21, 2017, the shadow of the moon will sweep across North America, producing a solar eclipse visible from all parts of the continental U.S. In Rochester’s sky, 70 percent of the Sun will be covered at mid-eclipse.
Eclipse Day
Special solar viewing activities will take place at RMSC on eclipse day, Monday, August 21. To gear up for the event, community members are invited to participate in family activities starting at 11am (details under “Family Program” below). Then, visitors have the choice to either continue to engage with the program or head to at the Strasenburgh Planetarium to watch the Eclipses 2017 and 2024 star show (details under “Star Show” below) beginning at 12pm. After the show, eclipse enthusiasts have the opportunity to meet with volunteer solar viewing guides, including physicists from the University of Rochester and volunteer amateur astronomers from the Astronomy Section of the Rochester Academy of Science, and purchase eclipse glasses for $2 per pair to share in this infrequent and exciting event. Eclipse safety glasses are currently available for purchase at the RMSC. Guests also learn about the commemorative stamp and postmark that has been created by the United States Postal Service. The countdown begins shortly after 1pm with the eclipse reaching its maximum coverage at 2:35pm. The eclipse ends at 3:52pm. Eclipse viewing without participation in the family program or star show is free (must have proper eyewear).
Star Show
During Eclipses 2017 and 2024, audiences discover what makes eclipses happen, what to watch for, and where to go if they want to see it in totality. Guests also get a preview of April 8, 2024, when Rochester gets its first total solar eclipse since 1925! In the second half of the show, the Planetarium’s giant star projector rises into action, and an expert presenter conducts a live tour of stars, constellations and planets of the current sky. Eclipses 2017 and 2024 is recommended for older children and adults and lasts about an hour. Tickets are $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, college students with ID, and ages 3–18, and free for RMSC members. Tickets and the complete Planetarium show schedule available at www.rmsc.org.
Family Program
From 11am-3pm from Friday, August 18 through Monday, August 21, visitors of all ages have the opportunity to get hands-on with earth and space science concepts during the Exploring Science: Earth & Space program. Participants can make clouds, imagine what extraterrestrial life might be like, investigate gravity, explore icy worlds, and much more through hands-on activities. Additionally, attendees learn first hand about the ongoing research happening at NASA in the fields of heliophysics, earth science, planetary science and astrophysics. On August 21, guests join in for safe solar viewing (details under “Eclipse Day” above). Admission to the Exploring Science: Earth & Space program is free with regular museum admission: $14 adults, $13 seniors and college students with ID, $12 ages 3 to 18, free for children under 3 and RMSC members.
For high-resolution images and additional information, contact Amanda Bayer, Marketing Communications Manager, RMSC at 585.697.1962 or abayer@rmsc.org or visit the Press / News section of our website at www.rmsc.org/press-news.
Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) includes the Science Museum, Strasenburgh Planetarium and Cumming Nature Center. Offering experiences at the Museum with more than 200 interactive exhibits, Planetarium with a 65-foot dome and Nature Center on 900 acres, the RMSC stimulates community interest in exploration. In addition, the more than 1.2 million RMSC collection items tell the story of Rochester’s past including its rich history of innovation and invention. RMSC receives major funding from Monroe County, where it is one of the top three most visited attractions serving children and families. For more information about RMSC, visit www.rmsc.org. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.
