IgniteAstro: Lunar Eclipse Prep Party
About this Event
Get ready for the late-night celestial show!
Why doesn't an eclipse happen every month? How do the Earth, Moon, and Sun line up to create these incredible shadows? Join Ignite Curiosity Lab for a special twilight workshop right in the heart of Palo Alto to find out!
Designed for curious kids and families, this hands-on IgniteAstro event takes the mystery out of lunar mechanics. We don't just talk about space; we build it, test it, and observe it.
Our Signature LEARN • MAKE • WATCH Loop:
- LEARN: Students tackle a core cosmic riddle directly, building an understanding of the concepts behind Earth's shadows and lunar eclipses.
- MAKE: Campers construct and calibrate real, physical tools like paper orbital models and shadow-casters to add to their personal gear kit.
- WATCH: We sync concepts with premium interactive viewing, using a telescope to map the moon's craters as it rises over Palo Alto.
The Evening Schedule:
- 6:00 PM - Welcome & Eclipse Mechanics: We kick off by answering the big question and breaking down the specific alignment of our solar system.
- 6:15 PM - Model Building & Shadow Casting: Kids will use cardstock and metal brads to build a rotating solar system model. Using flashlights, we will project the Earth's umbra and penumbra shadows.
- 7:00 PM - Telescope Time & Moon Mapping: As the full moon rises over Rinconada Park, kids take turns at the telescope eyepiece to map out visible lunar craters on their Eclipse Tracker guides.
- 8:00 PM - Wrap Up & Takeaway: We conclude our workshop so families can head home. The actual partial eclipse will begin its visible phase in the sky around 9:30 PM!
What's Included (The Astronomer's Kit)
Included in the $40 ticket price, every child receives:
- Materials for the Earth-Moon-Sun orbital model
- A mini-flashlight for shadow-casting experiments
- An official "Eclipse Tracker" guide
- A "Take-Home Catalyst": A specific assignment to take their new gear outside after dinner, turn off the screens, and show their parents how to navigate the cosmos when the real eclipse happens later that night!
Meet Your Instructor: Saeed Gilani
A software engineer by day, Saeed blends his technical precision with over 20 years of active experience in amateur astronomy and astrophotography. Having previously taught an astronomy course at The Nueva School, he excels at bringing the mysteries of the deep sky down to Earth and guiding young explorers safely and with infectious enthusiasm.
What to Bring:
- Warm layers (it gets chilly in Palo Alto as the sun goes down!)
- A curious mind!
(Note: Parents or guardians are required to stay for the duration of the event—and are highly encouraged to join in on the fun for free!)
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 44.52
