WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Astronomy-Physics Program and the UIS Astronomy Interest Group will host a partial solar eclipse watch party. The event is free and open to the public.

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 14

WHERE: UIS quad by the colonnade

DETAILS: On Oct. 14, central Illinois will experience a partial solar eclipse when the moon casts a shadow on the Earth as it passes between the Earth and the sun. At maximum, just before noon, the moon will cover up about 60% of the sun as seen from Springfield.

UIS Associate Professor of Astronomy-Physics John Martin will host the watch party. Attendees will be supplied with eclipse glasses to safely view the sun (while supplies last). They will also be invited to make pin-hole cameras and have a chance to view the sun through the UIS Solar Telescope.

This event may be canceled if it is too cloudy to see the sun. Questions about the weather should be directed to 217-206-8342 at 10 a.m. on Oct. 14. Participants may also follow the UIS Observatory on X or Martin’s Instagram for updates. For more information, contact Martin at jmart5@uis.edu.