Mark your calendars for a very special celestial event this December. In the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 21 the full moon will glide through deepest part of Earth’s shadow, causing a total lunar eclipse. The Lake Afton Public Observatory will be open to the public for this special event from midnight-4:30 a.m.

Usually a full moon passes above or below Earth’s shadow and no eclipse occurs. However, about every six months the moon’s orbit takes it through Earth’s shadow, causing a total eclipse. Unfortunately, not all eclipses can be seen in their entirety from Wichita. However, this December, we will be treated to the entire show.

Visitors will be able to see the moon through the observatory’s telescope, and observatory staff will be on hand to answer questions about the eclipse and how to photograph it.

Admission to the Lake Afton Public Observatory is $4 for adults and $3 for children ages 6-12; children under 6 are free.

The Lake Afton Public Observatory is operated by the Fairmount Center for Science and Mathematics Education at Wichita State University.