Mount Wilson Observatory Cancels Solar Eclipse Public Events Due to Weather

The much-anticipated public solar eclipse events at Mount Wilson Observatory, scheduled for April 8, has been canceled due to inclement weather and recent road closures, according to Bonnie Winings, the Observatory’s media relations officer.

The Observatory, located 5,715 feet above Pasadena, had planned a series of unique events for the public during the eclipse. However, a storm over Easter weekend resulted in 10 inches of new snow at the site, and another storm is forecast for Friday, April 5.

“Public safety cannot be compromised in hazardous weather conditions such as these,” Winings said.

The Observatory had planned to stream the eclipse live to its auditorium, where it would have been projected in hydrogen alpha, a filter that allows viewers to see surface features on the sun. The base of the 150-foot solar tower telescope was also set to be open for a live projection of the eclipse.

The solar eclipse, often referred to as the Great North American Eclipse, has generated significant interest due to its path across densely populated areas and its relatively long duration of totality, making it accessible to millions of people.

Closer to home, Caltech has announced plans to host a solar eclipse viewing party at its Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics. The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on the day of the eclipse. Attendees will have the opportunity to peer through solar telescopes, receive free eclipse glasses (while supplies last), and interact with some of the institution’s top astrophysicists.

For more information about the Caltech event, including directions and parking, visit http://outreach.astro.caltech.edu or contact Cameron Hummels at chummels@caltech.edu.