Cernan Space Center Special Events
At maximum eclipse, only 93% of the Sun's disk will be blocked by the Moon as seen from Chicagoland. Visit our eclipse resources page for video and detailed maps to see why we want everyone to go see the Sun 100% eclipsed within the path of totality.
TOTALITY is just a couple hours drive away: Cleveland, Indianapolis, and Carbondale, but Texas is predicted to have the best chance for clear skies. Plus, 2024 will be the LAST Total Solar Eclipse to sweep across the United States until 2045.
But, isn't a 93% partial solar eclipse good enough?
Absolutely not! The difference between seeing a partial solar eclipse and a TOTAL solar eclipse is like looking at a picture of BBQ compared to smelling and tasting the finest results of the pitmaster's art. mmmmmmmm. BBQ.
If you can't make it to totality, Cernan Earth and Space Center will be hosting an eclipse watch featuring safe solar observation, ECLIPSE: the Sun Revealed in the Planetarium, Dark Side of the Moon Cosmic Light Shows, and other activities.
Now we just need clear skies.
International Observe the Moon Night
Come Look Through Telescopes for FREE at a Star Party
Saturday, September 14, 2024, from 8 to 10 p.m.
Telescope targets will include the Moon and Saturn with Jupiter rising at about 10:30 p.m.
Come Look Through Telescopes for FREE at a Star Party
Saturday, November 16, 2024, from 6:30 to 10 p.m.
Telescope targets will include Saturn, Jupiter, the Moon next to Jupiter, and Mars rising 9 p.m.
The Triton College Cernan Earth and Space Center will Livestream “Birds: It’s Not About What But Where”
Birds: It's Not About What But Where
Date: Wednesday, March 8, 2023, 7 – 8PM
The Triton College Cernan Earth and Space Center will livestream Birds: It’s Not About What But Where, on Wednesday, March 8, from 7-8 p.m. Admission is FREE and registration is not required.
The Cernan Earth and Space Center is excited to domestream Birds: It’s Not About What But Where, a lecture presented by the William M. Staerkel Planetarium at Parkland College in Champaign, Ill. The lecture will examine birdwatching in central Illinois, with commentary from Jeff Bryant, a mathematician for WolframAlpha. Bryant is an avid naturist, bird watcher and bird photographer.
Bryant will be highlighting parks, ponds, rivers and bird sanctuaries around Champaign, Ill., as well as his bird photographs.
This domestream will utilize the immersive environment of the planetarium as the presentation flies to different birding locations. Visitors will be able to ask Bryant questions as part of the presentation.
“This is our second time working with Parkland College,” said Wayne Foster, one of the Cernan Center’s Planetarium Educators. “This is a great collaboration between the institutions for a common interest of nature, wildlife and birds.”
The Triton College Cernan Earth and Space Center hours are Monday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; and Saturday, 6:30-9:30 p.m. The Cernan Center is closed on Sundays.
For more information, contact cernan@triton.edu or visit triton.edu/Cernan.
Total Lunar Eclipse
Date: Sunday, May 15, 2022
Time: 8PM - 11PM
Location: Cernan Earth and Space Center (I Building)
Admission: FREE for Lunar Eclipse ($5 for Cosmic Light Show)
Click HERE for Information Flyer
FAQS
Do I need to bring anything with me to the event such as a telescope?
You might want to bring a chair or blanket to sit comfortably in the observing field when you are not at a telescope. Bring along your own binoculars to follow the action when not at a telescope. Telescopes for everyone to observe the eclipse are being provided by the Chicago Astronomical Society and Skokie Valley Astronomers. Be sure to thank their members for bringing out their scopes.
What is the address for the Cernan Earth and Space Center?
The address for Triton College is 2000 5th Ave., River Grove. The best address to put in your GPS is 1736-1790 5th Ave., River Grove. The Space Center is the I building consisting of a large round brick cylinder hiding the Planetarium with an Apollo capsule and Nike rocket out front. The closest entrance is the traffic light located between the Hemingway traffic light and the intersection of 5th Avenue and River Road. There is plenty of free parking in Lot 6, just north of the Space Center. Click HERE for a detailed map and directions to reach the Cernan Earth and Space Center.
What is the youngest age recommended for the eclipse event?
All ages are welcome, but younger than 5 will probably not have a good time.
An Evening of Hospitality and Habitat
Come enjoy a scrumptious dining experience before attending Habitat Earth: Living in a Connected World in the Cernan Earth and Space Center Planetarium on Saturday, April 9, 2022.
Your ticket includes a menu prepared by Triton College's Hospitality and Culinary students PLUS admission to the 7PM presentation of Habitat Earth: Living in a Connected World in the Planetarium.
Reception before the Planetarium Program: 5:30-6:45PM
The menu will consist of:
- Hot Station
- Wild Mushroom & Truffle Pasta
- Rosemary and Lemon Grilled Chicken
- Pizza Margherita
- Cold Station
- Sushi Station
- Ceviche and Plantain Chips
- Devilled Eggs
- Brie Toast
- Dessert
- Chocolate Dirt Cup
- Drinks
- Butterfly Pea Tea Lemonade
- Water
Experience Habitat Earth: Living in a Connected World in the Planetarium: 7-8 pm
Dive below the ocean’s surface, travel beneath the forest floor and journey to new heights to explore food webs, invasive species and the intricate intersection between human and ecological networks.
Click HERE to see a preview of Habitat Earth: Living in a Connected World .
The planetarium experience will also include a tour of what is visible in the current evening sky and other ‘cool stuff’.
After the show, grab a snack to go: 8PM
Tickets are just
$15 for everyone 13 and over
$10 for youth 6-10 years old
FREE for children 5 and under
IMPORTANT NOTE: Tickets must be purchased with CASH ONLY at the event. Please come with cash in hand as there is not an ATM available in the Space Center.
HOW DO YOU GET TICKETS?
- MAKE YOUR RESERVATION NOW. We may not be able to accept any walk-ins. Click HERE to make your reservation now using the online form.
- IMPORTANT NOTE: Tickets must be purchased with CASH ONLY. Please come with cash in hand because there is not an ATM in the Space Center.
- Tickets can be purchased in the Cernan Earth and Space Center office (Bldg I-116) on the campus of Triton College between the hours of 9:30 am and 4:30 pm. We recommend calling 708-456-0300 x 3372 in advance so we know to expect you. There are short periods throughout the day when the office may not be staffed.
- Tickets can also be paid for at the door the evening of the event, but it does help planning if you can pay in advance.
- A SECOND REMINDER: Tickets must be purchased with CASH ONLY at the Space Center office or the door. Please come with cash in hand as there is not an ATM in the Space Center.
For questions about this special Habitat Hospitality reception, contact Manny Uribe at manueluribeespin@triton.edu.
BIRDS in the Planetarium for Birders and Nature Lovers!
Birds: It's Not About What But Where
Date: Wednesday, March 9, 2022, 7 – 8PM
Birds inhabit nearly every ecosystem on Earth. In addition to the urban areas and cornfields of Champaign–Urbana, various habitats can be found if you know where to look. Jeff Bryant (Wolfram Alpha LLC) will provide an overview of some of the diverse environments that can be found around east central Illinois.
Content created and domecast using Digistar 6 Planetarium Software.
Remote domecast in the Cernan Earth and Space Center at Triton College in River Grove, IL. Admission is FREE.
Presented LIVE in the Staerkel Planetarium at Parkland College in Champaign, IL. $2 per person at the door.
Have questions? Email cernan@triton.edu or call 708-456-0300 x 3372.