Eclipse Viewing Party

Experience the celestial spectacle of a lifetime - mark your calendars for an astronomical adventure like never before! The Connecticut Science Center invites you to witness the breathtaking phenomenon of a Solar Eclipse here on our plaza. This rare celestial event promises a mesmerizing dance between the sun and the moon, creating an awe-inspiring spectacle that will leave you speechless. After the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, the next total solar eclipse that can be seen from the contiguous United States will be on August 23, 2044. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this cosmic spectacle.

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• 🌞 LIVE VIEWING - Immerse yourself in the celestial wonder as you witness the sun disappear behind the moon, plunging the world into a temporary twilight. Our specially equipped viewing area and solar glasses (included with your event ticket) ensure a safe and unobstructed experience, allowing you to marvel at the beauty of the solar spectacular.
• 🌑 ENGAGING ACTIVITIES - Enhance your eclipse experience with interactive exhibits and engaging activities designed to deepen your understanding of the solar system. Join Science Center STEM educators and meteorologists from WFSB Channel 3 with their high-tech Weather Tracker vehicle for some once-in-a-lifetime eclipse views.
• 🔭 FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN - Gather your friends and family for a day of celestial celebration! We’ve curated an exciting atmosphere, making it the perfect outing for astronomy enthusiasts, families, and curious minds.
• ✨ BREATHTAKING LIVE STREAM - Experience the awe-inspiring LIVE stream of the Total Eclipse from the comfort of our theater. We will join NASA as they broadcast from the Path of Totality, where the moon will block the sun completely, creating a breathtaking spectacle across a width of approximately 115 miles. Drop in at any time to witness the splendor of this event as it happens LIVE on our giant screen.

LIGHTYEAR

PG | 1h 45m | One showing at 12PM

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From Disney and Pixar comes an animated sci-fi action-adventure — the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the hero who inspired the toy. “Lightyear” follows the legendary space ranger on an intergalactic adventure alongside ambitious recruits Izzy, Mo, Darby, and his robot companion Sox. As this motley crew embarks on their toughest mission, they must learn to work as a team to escape the evil Zurg and his dutiful robot army, who are never far behind

TICKETS

Secure your spot for this once-in-a-lifetime event! Advance Tickets are available for purchase online or at the Connecticut Science Center. Tickets are limited and will sell out. Every online/advance ticket purchased includes 1 pair of solar glasses for safe viewing of the event. Members who reserve advance tickets (free, up to membership level) for this event will also receive solar glasses for safe viewing of the event equal to the size of their membership.

***Day of ticket purchases and/or Members who show up at the door without advance tickets will NOT receive solar glasses, solar glasses will be available for purchase separately from our gift shop (while supplies last).***

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TICKETS

The April 8, 2024, eclipse will be a total solar eclipse. It will be the last total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous United States until 2044.

A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. People viewing the eclipse from locations where the Moon’s shadow completely covers the Sun – known as the path of totality – will experience a total solar eclipse. The sky will darken, as if it were dawn or dusk. Weather permitting, people along the path of totality will see the Sun’s corona, or outer atmosphere, which is usually obscured by the bright face of the Sun.

While Connecticut is not within either of the primary paths of Annularity or Totality, we will witness a partial solar eclipse.

Except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s bright face, it is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing. Viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.

When watching the partial phases of the solar eclipse directly with your eyes, which happens before and after totality, you must look through safe solar viewing glasses (“eclipse glasses”) or a safe handheld solar viewer at all times. You can also use an indirect viewing method, such as a pinhole projector.

While Connecticut is not within either of the primary paths of Annularity or Totality, we will witness a partial solar eclipse.

Every online/advance ticket purchased includes 1 pair of solar glasses for safe viewing of the event. Members who reserve advance tickets (free, up to membership level) for this event will also receive solar glasses for safe viewing of the event equal to the size of their membership. Additional glasses and camera filters will be available for sale in our Gift Shop.

Partnering with The LightSound Project for this event, the Connecticut Science Center is excited to offer a unique experience to the blind and low-vision community. The LightSound device is designed to translate a solar eclipse into sound, using a sensor to detect changes in light and an on-board computer to generate corresponding audio. The Connecticut Science Center is the sole venue in the state to showcase this innovative technology and enable individuals to witness a solar eclipse through sound.

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