Learn about next year’s Great American Solar Eclipse at Carmel Planetarium

What is a total solar eclipse? Why do we have eclipses on Earth? What are we going to see in central Indiana on April 8, 2024? Why do people get so excited about total solar eclipses?

Find the answers to these questions and more during two shows on Friday, Oct. 20 at the Carmel High School Planetarium.

7 p.m. Show: Sandy, Pepper & the Eclipse

The program will begin with a live planetarium tour of the local nighttime sky. Join two dogs as they spend a day in the house … but not just any day … this is the day of the solar eclipse!

Mom leaves for the morning, mentioning that she is keeping Sandy (a wise, older golden retriever) and Pepper (an inquisitive, young beagle) inside so they won’t hurt their eyes by looking at the eclipse. Pepper wants to know what a solar eclipse is, how it happens, and how it affects humans, animals, and the Earth. Sandy uses household and neighborhood objects to define and explain how the scale and motion of the moon, earth, and sun create eclipses. Full and partial eclipses are thoroughly discussed, as are safe viewing methods. Pepper is in awe of Sandy’s knowledge, and Sandy is impressed with Pepper’s ability to learn. Dog humor abounds.

Mom returns, Dad comes home from work, and they turn on the TV news. The lead story is about the day’s eclipse, and the TV newscaster verifies Sandy’s information. Pepper is again impressed but now wants to know how those little people get in the TV. Another story for another day, says Sandy.

Click here to get your tickets for the 7 p.m. show on Friday, Oct. 20.

8 p.m. Show: ECLIPSE – The Sun Revealed

The program will begin with a live planetarium tour of the local nighttime sky. Then, this planetarium show covers the historical, cultural, and scientific views of solar eclipses and gets audiences ready for the Great American Eclipse of 2024. The Great American Eclipse is coming, and with it comes the next addition to the Sudekum Planetarium’s robust catalog of shows, ECLIPSE: The Sun Revealed.

Don’t miss sharing this once-in-a-lifetime experience. This all-new planetarium production features exciting visuals that explore…

  • the historical and cultural views of eclipses illustrated in culturally inspired styles;
  • the geometry that gives us lunar, partial, annular, and (of course) total solar eclipses;
  • a visualization of what can be seen from within the shadow of a total solar eclipse;
  • scientific discoveries generated or supported by total solar eclipses how to safely view an eclipse; and,
  • a first-hand account of one person’s experience during a total solar eclipse

Click here to get your tickets for the 8 p.m. show.

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Enter through the main entrance of the school on Main Street, walk past the Dale Graham auditorium, and turn right. Doors will open 30 minutes before show time.

No one will be admitted after the program begins. Children 12 years and under should be accompanied by an adult.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students and children. Please download tickets before entering the school or take a screenshot of your ticket. You may not have cell phone reception in the school building.

For more information, please call Planetarium Director Keith Turner at (317) 846-7721 ext. 7446.