The Almost Total Lunar Eclipse at SIU Carbondale 27 August 2026
FREE Public Astronomy Observation on the Neckers building south west lawn.
8:30pm – 11:30pm CDT. 27 August 2026.
A deep partial lunar eclipse will be visible from the Americas, Greenland, Iceland, Europe and Africa on 27 – 28 August 2026. Carbondale, Illinois will see all phases of this eclipse with a maximum obscuration of 96% at 11:12pm CDT. Most of the Moon will be shaded at maximum eclipse with only a thin sliver of direct light from the Sun hitting 4% of the Moon’s surface.
The public is invited to join members of the SIU School of Physics, the STEM Education Research Center, and the Astronomical Association of Southern Illinois this evening on the southwest side of the Neckers building for free, guided telescope viewings.
While visitors are welcome to stay and watch the entire eclipse, volunteers will begin packing up most telescopes at 11:30pm CT.
Portions of this event including telescope feeds will be livestreamed to YouTube @NASAsolarSTEAM.
This event is outside and weather dependent. Neckers 240 will be open with live stream views of the eclipse from other locations. Lawn chairs, blankets, telescopes, photographic equipment and coolers are allowed, please No Alcohol. Parking available in Lot #47 between the Public Policy Institute and Neckers building. The south end of the parking lot will be blocked to keep headlights from shining into the observation area. Some lighting will be on in this area, but we encourage visitors to keep white lights to a minimum in the telescope area. Visitors who plan to bring their own telescope or photographic equipment are welcome to arrive early and keep their equipment set up for the entire eclipse.
No tickets are required for this event. For more information or for special accommodations, call SIU Events and Outreach at (618) 536-7751or email events@siu.edu.
ECLIPSE TIMING
P1 (penumbral phase) 01:23:55UT / 8:23:55pm CDT (August 27)
U1 (partial phase): 2:33:48 UT / 9:33:48pm CDT (August 27). Moon location: Az 124, Alt 22.
Greatest Eclipse: 11:12pm CDT. Moon location: Az 147, Alt 36.
U4 (end of partial phase: 5:51:55UT / 12:51am CDT, August 28. Moon location: Az 177, Alt 43.
P4 (end penumbral phase): 2:01am CDT.
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For more information and discussion about the event, please visit the SIU Physics Lunar Eclipse event site.
What groups are involved in the observation?
Public astronomy observations are hosted by SIU Carbondale as a joint event that involves several campus units organized through the SIU School of Physics, the SIU STEM Education Research Center and the Astronomical Association of Southern Illinois (AASI).
What if I can't attend in person, is there an online way to participate?
You can watch a telescope livestream of the lunar eclipse produced by SIU’s SolarSTEAM project. More information at: solarsteam.siu.edu/3march2026_tle/
Parking
Free parking is available in SIU lot #47 located in between the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute and the Neckers building.
Are white lights allowed at the observation site?
Street lighting and campus walkway lights will be on during this event. Visitors and staff are encouraged to keep white light to a minimum in the telescope area and use red lights when possible.
What can I bring to the observation?
Visitors are allowed to bring food and non alcoholic drinks as well as chairs, blankets and observation or photographic equipment.
Are pets allowed?
No pets other than service animals are allowed at the observation.
Can I bring a large group to the event?
Large groups should contact SIU Events in advance at (618)-536-7751 or email events@siu.edu
Is there a rain date for the event?
All in person activities at are weather permitting and there is no rain date.
What types of telescopes are at the event?
All telescopes at the event are portable amateur astronomer telescopes or binoculars. Expect a range of telescopes including 40mm to 140mm refactors that offer incredibly sharp images and a variety of reflectors including Newtonians, large Dobs, and compact Schmidt-Cassegrain scopes. A few telescopes will have cell phone adapters allowing visitors to get their own cell phone image of the Moon.
Are there other public astronomy observations in the area?
SIU Public Astronomy Observations are hosted by SIU Physics and the Astronomical Association of Southern Illinois (AASI) at the Neckers Astronomy Observation Deck on the SIUC campus during the fall and spring semesters. Additionally, SIU, the Adler Planetarium of Chicago and AASI host other special observations throughout the year. Special observations are advertised on the hosting venue websites and social media.
Are there activities for handicap or special needs visitors?
Most of the activities at the observation are accessible to all visitors with a few exceptions. The level of the eyepieces on some scopes may be out of reach of some visitors and require stools or step ladders to reach, however camera assisted viewing is available on some telescopes that allow visualization on computer screens. Visitors with mobility issues or in need of special accommodations should contact SIU Events and Outreach at 618-536-7751 or email events@siu.edu.
Are there activities for children?
Children accompanied by adults are encouraged to check out the different views from the telescopes and most telescope have step stools allowing children to reach eyepieces.
Can I setup my own telescope?
Visitors are welcome to bring their own telescope or photographic equipment and setup in an open area. Visitors with their own equipment may setup in advance or stay late to see the entire eclipse.
All activities are weather permitting.
No outside alcohol is permitted at this venue. Southern Illinois University is a smoke free campus.
Note that you will likely be in close proximity to people throughout the evening. If you are feeling sick or have recently been exposed to Covid, please stay home.
Portions of this event will be photographed, videoed and live streamed.
For questions or more information, contact University Events and Outreach at: (618)-536-7751 or email events@siu.edu.