View the annular solar eclipse in Tucson on the UA Mall
When
Solar Eclipse Event in Tucson
Watch the eclipse with us!
The partial annular solar eclipse is coming to Tucson on the morning of October 14th, 2023! Locally, we will see about 78% of the Sun covered by the Moon. Gather your friends and hang out on the UA Mall outside Flandrau for the partial 'ring of fire' eclipse. Look out for solar telescopes nearby and feel free to take a break inside Flandrau and enjoy reduced science exhibit admission of only $5. Following the eclipse, there will be solar-themed planetarium shows throughout the day.
Eclipse Timeline
| 8:12AM | Partial Annular Solar Eclipse Begins |
| 9:33AM | Max view (time when the maximum amount of the Sun's disk is covered) |
| 11:05AM | Partial Annular Solar Eclipse Ends |
Solar Eclipse Glasses and Telescopes
Certified solar viewing glasses (with a fun Flandrau design and logo!) are available on location now and during the event for $5.
Depending on demand, an additional cash-only line may form and is typically much faster than card payments for solar glasses.
Solar telescopes will be on site free of charge for shared use on the day of the eclipse.
Safety info: Flandrau solar viewing glasses are ISO certified and "conform to and meet the Transmission Requirements of ISO 12312-2, Filters for Direct Observation of the Sun."
During an annular eclipse, it is never safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection designed for solar viewing. Review these safety guidelines to prepare for Oct. 14, 2023.
What's happening inside Flandrau?
Eclipse Theater Livestream (free)
8:00AM-10:50AM
You can safely view the eclipse without solar glasses via a livestream in our planetarium!
No admission required. Visitors may visit the theater at their leisure.
Special Science Exhibit Price ($5)
8AM-5PM
From Earthly wonders to far-off planets, Flandrau's exhibits reveal the marvels of the universe.
Admission is per person. Free for Flandrau members.
Planetarium Shows ($8 to $12)
11AM, 12:30PM, 2PM, and 3:30PM
Escape the planet Earth when you take a seat in the Eos Planetarium Theater for a full-dome show or star talk.
Tickets are per person. Kids are $8 and adults are $12 with discounts for Flandrau members, seniors, military, EBT, and college IDs.
More Eclipse Information
A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth. The Moon covers the Sun from our perspective, making it look like the Sun is disappearing. What makes a solar eclipse partial is that the line between the Earth, Moon, and Sun isn't perfectly straight. Because of this, part of the Sun stays visible, giving it the appearance of a crescent.
An annular solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth while it is near its farthest point from Earth. Due to its distance, the Moon appears smaller than the Sun and leaves a ring (or annulus) of the Sun's disk visible around the edge of the Moon. Similar to a total eclipse, the annular eclipse is only visible along a narrow path, in this case going from Oregon to Texas and then from the Yucatán to eastern Brazil. While Tucson is close to this path, we are not directly in it, so we will see a partial eclipse instead of an annular one.
From Tucson we will see about 78% of the Sun covered by the Moon. This is the most coverage we have seen since 2012, and it won't be beat again until 2071!
See NASA's overview of solar eclipse information.
More Tucson-specific info from Time & Date.
Planetarium Show Schedule
Make the day even more special with an out-of-this-world show in the planetarium!
We are expected big crowds for the eclipse, and planetarium shows may sell out. Advance purchase is highly recommended.
2PM- The Sun, Our Living Star
Learn about the ancient source of the energy that drives our winds, our weather and all life.
3:30PM - Tucson Sky & Beyond
A classic, live dark-sky astronomy talk in the planetarium.
Laser Light Music Night
We couldn't have a solar eclipse without the Moon, so we're keeping the celebration going into the evening. Science exhibit admission is included with your ticket. These special events are $18 per person with a $0.95 processing fee for online sales. These sell out quickly!
7PM - Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon
Based on Pink Floyd’s 1973 album of humanitarian, political and philosophical empathy, Dark Side of the Moon is one of the most startling and bizarre laser light shows of all time!
Audience: Recommended for adults due to lyrics
Style: Laser light music show
8:30PM - Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon
Based on Pink Floyd’s 1973 album of humanitarian, political and philosophical empathy, Dark Side of the Moon is one of the most startling and bizarre laser light shows of all time!
Audience: Recommended for adults due to lyrics
Style: Laser light music show