Harper observatory to open Sunday for rare lunar eclipse

Harper College will open its observatory Sunday, Sept. 27, for a total lunar eclipse that will coincide with a so-called "supermoon," a pairing that hasn't happened in more than three decades and won't again for another 18 years.

The free community viewing will start at 7 p.m. at the Karl G. Henize Observatory on the campus at 1200 W. Algonquin Road in Palatine.

During a total lunar eclipse, the earth passes between the full moon and the sun. The earth's shadow covers the moon, an alignment that typically results in the moon looking a reddish color in a phenomenon known as a "blood moon." Supermoon refers to the moon looking bigger than usual because it's closer to earth than at other times during its orbit. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, there have been just five such events since 1900.

Regular viewings at the observatory are Saturday night from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 26, Oct. 10, Oct. 24, Nov. 7 and Nov. 21. Volunteers are on-hand to guide novice viewers. For more information, visit harpercollege.edu.