Join us for observing the Lunar Eclipse on Thursday, August 27th.

This event is special as it occurs 65 years after the first eclipse, jointly held by the McDonnell Planetarium and the St Louis Astronomical Society. On August 25, 1961, we hosted a Lunar Eclipse event on the site of the McDonnell Planetarium. The planetarium was still under construction and did not officially open until April 1963. 

Over 200 people attended the 1961 event. Alan Shepard became the first American to fly in space on May 5, 1961 and John Glenn's first orbital flight would not happen until February 1962. No internet, no satellites broadcasting this eclipse.

Contrast this to 2026 when Artemis II flew by the Moon in April and this event can be viewed from anywhere. 

7:40pm Sunset
8:00pm Inside program 
9:00pm Telescope on South side
11:30pm End of program 

In event of clouds there will be live stream
Partial begins: 9:35 PM CDT
Maximum eclipse: 11:14 PM CDT
Partial ends: 12:53 AM CDT