Quincy Astronomy Club to present Thursday lecture on preparing for April 8 solar eclipse

QUINCY — The Quincy Astronomy Club will be presenting a lecture at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 29, at John Wood Community College in Room D022/023. The lecture will be about the total solar eclipse that will occur April 8. Randy Wolfmeyer, John Wood’s astronomy professor, will be the presenter. The public is invited to attend.

Topics to be covered during the lecture include:

• What causes a solar eclipse, the path of the moon’s shadow, total vs. partial eclipse
• The path of the eclipse in the United States
• History of eclipses or special eclipses – like Einstein and Eddington using a solar eclipse to test general relativity
• How to observe the eclipse safely
• Cool effects to look for during the eclipse – like the small images of the moon in every little opening, how the shadows become very wavy
• Science experiments to perform during the eclipse

The path of totality of the eclipse will cross the United States on April 8.  Totality of the eclipse will be able to be observed by driving only a few hours away from Quincy. The next time a total eclipse is expected in the United States will be 2044.

Local amateur astronomers formed the club. It seeks to teach, explore and expand minds about space and our universe. Lectures are held monthly, usually on the last Thursday of the month, and the club also holds evening observing sessions. Observing sessions are scheduled as weather and observing conditions permit. Local amateurs with their telescopes guide the observing sessions.

Lecture Room D022/D023 is in the lower rear north end of JWCC Building D. Enter either door C2 or the door marked Paul Heath Building.

For more information, contact Susan Asher 217-653-5074 or asherte@yahoo.com