Best of 2015: Super Moon

Over the past year, UNO has continued making history. Whether it be in the classroom, on the field, right here in Omaha, or across the world - the students, faculty, and staff of UNO have set the bar for what it means to be a successful and engaged metropolitan university.

In September, the world was captivated by a rare celestial combination: a "Super Moon" and a "Blood Moon"

The UNO observatory opened its doors to the Omaha community on Sept. 27, drawing hundreds to campus to get and up close look at this rare phenomenon.

Included below is the original story, which is just one of 15 stories that will be published through the month of December to highlight the "Best of 2015" at UNO.

Originally Published September 15

The night sky will soon be home to a spectacular sight. The public is invited to visit the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s (UNO) Durham Science Center observatory and planetarium for the total lunar eclipse of a ‘supermoon’ and harvest moon.

The rooftop observatory and planetarium will open at 7 p.m., Sunday Sept. 27, and close at midnight. The event is free. No permit is required to park on campus during weekends.

The observatory has six telescopes. Several other telescopes will be set up around the building. Some of the scopes will have smartphone adapters and filters on them, allowing visitors to snap smartphone photos of the eclipse. A high-powered pair of binoculars will also be available, providing some of the best views of the moon.

An image of the lunar eclipse will be projected into the UNO planetarium – rain or shine. If the sky is clear, the image will come from the observatory; if it’s overcast, the image will be taken from a clear site.

The sun will set at 7:13 p.m. Event organizers expect the total eclipse to be reached at 9:11 p.m., when the moon will appear red.

The eclipse falls on the same night as a so-called ‘supermoon’: when a full-moon coincides with its closest approach to earth. Because of the proximity, the moon will appear larger and brighter than usual. It also coincides with the harvest moon, which is when the full moon is closest to the Autumnal Equinox.

This will be the fourth consecutive total lunar eclipse in the last two years - a tetrad. The eclipse will last for about 3 hours and 20 minutes from beginning to end.

After this eclipse, the next total eclipse of the moon in our area will be Jan. 2018. The next tetrad will be in 2032.

Related Links
Explore the Solar System at UNO
Kountze Planetarium Hosts Viewing of Venus Transit
The Durham Science Center: Theory Put Into Practice

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

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