News Summary
The Orange Coast College Planetarium invites the public to observe a total lunar eclipse on March 13-14. Stargazers can witness the ‘blood moon’ from OCC’s Telescope Farm, with astronomy experts on hand to enhance the experience. The event is free and encourages community involvement, featuring additional upcoming activities at the college and nearby venues. Visitors can expect a captivating night sky experience, with the moon’s unique reddish hue during totality, making this an opportunity not to be missed.
Costa Mesa – The Orange Coast College (OCC) Planetarium is inviting the public to witness a total lunar eclipse occurring on the night of March 13 into the early hours of March 14. The event is expected to attract stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts, providing a unique opportunity to observe this celestial phenomenon, often referred to as a “blood moon.”
The total lunar eclipse will begin at 11:26 p.m. on Thursday, March 13, and will conclude at 12:31 a.m. on Friday, March 14. During the totality phase of the eclipse, the moon will take on a reddish hue, a result of the Earth’s shadow filtering sunlight. Guests are encouraged to arrive at OCC’s Telescope Farm starting at 10 p.m., allowing them ample time to prepare for viewing and enjoy the sights until the event concludes at 1 a.m.
Participation in the eclipse viewing event is free of charge. The astronomy faculty, students, and staff from Orange Coast College will be present to facilitate the experience by answering questions and sharing knowledge about the lunar eclipse and related astronomical phenomena. Visitors can park in parking lot E at the college’s campus located at 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa. Although reservations are not mandatory, they are encouraged, and additional information can be found at occtickets.universitytickets.com.
Event Details
The total lunar eclipse is one of the few astronomical events that can be observed with the naked eye. It provides a dynamic viewing experience, especially when the moon appears vividly red during totality – a sight that captivates both amateur and seasoned astronomers alike.
Upcoming Astronomy Events
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On a different note, the Hoag Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute is currently enrolling participants for an Alzheimer’s vaccine study. Eligible participants must be between the ages of 60 to 85 with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease. Interested individuals can contact (949) 764-6797 or email clinicalresearch@hoag.org for more trial information.
Lunar Eclipse Overview
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- LA Times: Blood Moon Total Eclipse at OCC Planetarium
- OC Register: See the Stars at OCC Planetarium
- LA Times: How to Watch the Blood Moon
- ABC7: Total Lunar Eclipse in Southern California
- SGV Tribune: Solar Eclipse 2024 in Southern California
- Wikipedia: Lunar Eclipse
- Google Search: Total Lunar Eclipse
- Google Scholar: Lunar Eclipse
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Lunar Eclipse
- Google News: Blood Moon
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
