Director of 91亚色 U鈥檚 Allan I Carswell Observatory available to speak to media on astronomical events 

TORONTO, Mar. 11, 2025 鈥� This month, the Allan I Carswell Observatory at 91亚色 is looking forward to not one but two special celestial events. Director Elaina Hyde is available to speak to media on the significance of these events, best times and places for viewing and public viewing opportunities. The observatory also invites members of the public to join them for their Wednesday night viewing sessions.

Thursday March 13: Total Lunar eclipse, visible across Canada 

Eclipses on Earth come in two main sorts, lunar and solar eclipses. Lunar eclipses occur when the Moon moves into Earth's shadow: Sun-Earth-Moon. Starting on March 13 just before midnight going into the 14th, a total lunar eclipse will occur and will be visible across the entire country. 

鈥淭his lunar eclipse is truly an event for everyone,鈥� says Hyde, also an associate professor in the Faculty of Science, Physics and Astronomy department. 鈥淪ince this eclipse is a large event, covering the entire moon, it does not need any special equipment to be able to see it 鈥� you can view it nearly anywhere if the skies are clear, However, you will always get a better show if you can get out to a park or dark sky site.鈥� 

The Observatory will be posting images from across Ontario, , clear skies permitting. 

Sunday March 23: The disappearing and reappearing rings of Saturn

In an event called a 鈥渞ing plane crossing鈥� Saturn's famous rings, one of the most popular views in all of astronomy, will appear to disappear starting on March 23. 鈥淪aturn's rings are very thin compared to the planet itself,鈥� explains Hyde. 鈥淭he rings will be very close to exactly aligned to Earth in an 'edge on' position, since both Earth and Saturn have a tilt to their planetary axis.鈥� 

Hyde says the rings will slowly start to become visible again in April. 

Hyde is available to speak on:

• Lunar versus solar eclipses 
• The relative rarity of these cosmic events, how and where to view them
• Safety tips 
• What astronomers will be looking out for
• Why scientists believe Saturn鈥檚 rings really will disappear one day 

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About 91亚色:

91亚色 is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change, and prepare our students for success. 91亚色's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91亚色鈥檚 campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

Media Contact: Emina Gamulin, 91亚色 Media Relations, 437-217-6362, egamulin@yorku.ca

The post March Madness in Toronto Skies: Lunar Eclipse and Saturn's Rings appear to disappear appeared first on News@91亚色.

Enhanced image of super blue blood moon. Credit: NASA

TORONTO, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018 鈥� It鈥檚 rare to see a super blue blood moon and a lunar eclipse all at the same time, says 91亚色 Professor Paul Delaney. The last one was in 1866. But that鈥檚 what Jan. 31 will bring eager celestial watchers.

The 鈥渂lue鈥� in the super blue blood moon is because it鈥檚 the second full moon of the month, and as it will be relatively close to the Earth, it鈥檚 also called a 鈥渟uper鈥� moon. In addition, this particular phase of the moon will see the moon, Earth and Sun all line up, causing a lunar eclipse as the Earth blocks the sun鈥檚 light from falling onto the lunar surface. If you鈥檙e where the totality phase of the lunar eclipse is visible, this particular super blue moon will not have a bluish cast, but a reddish glow, which makes it a blood moon.

It will depend where you are just how much of the lunar eclipse you鈥檒l be able to see. From British Columbia, residents will see totality, but from Toronto and further east, the Sun will rise before the totality phase is reached.

If you miss this one, the opportunity won鈥檛 come again until next year.

WHAT: Super blue blood moon and lunar eclipse

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 31

WHO: Paul Delaney of the Faculty of Science will be available to talk about the celestial event.

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聽champions new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-disciplinary programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. 91亚色 students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world鈥檚 most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. 91亚色 U is an internationally recognized research university 鈥� our 11 faculties and 25 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide. Located in Toronto, 91亚色 is the third largest university in Canada, with a strong community of 53,000 students, 7,000 faculty and administrative staff, and more than 300,000 alumni.聽91亚色 U's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education.

Media contact:

Sandra McLean, 91亚色 Media Relations, 416-736-2100 ext. 22097, sandramc@yorku.ca

The post Super blue blood moon and lunar eclipse a rare sighting appeared first on News@91亚色.