Press Release
Fla. Museum hosts last Florida eclipse viewing until 2014
For Immediate Release March 21, 2005
Contact:
Paul Ramey, Dir. of Marketing and Public Relations
Florida Museum of Natural History
(352) 846-2000, ext. 218, pramey@ufl.edu
Writer: Kristin Ede
GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- The Florida Museum of Natural History and Alachua Astronomy Club will host a partial solar eclipse viewing from 5 - 7:30 p.m. April 8 on the lawn in front of the University of Florida Cultural Plaza parking garage. "Celestial Celebrations" is free and open to the public and will allow guests an up-close view of the last solar eclipse visible from North Central Florida until 2014.
Alachua Astronomy Club members will provide telescopes with solar filters for safe viewing of the eclipse and sunspots, and be available to answer questions and provide assistance.
The eclipse will begin at 5:26 p.m. and end at 7:08 p.m. At maximum eclipse, the moon will obscure approximately 34 percent of the sun.
Indoor Florida Museum exhibits will be closed during Celestial Celebrations due to a private event.
For more information visit http://www.floridastars.org/eclipse.solar.2005apr08.html.
-30-
The Florida Museum of Natural History is Florida's state natural history museum, dedicated to understanding, preserving and interpreting biological diversity and cultural heritage. It is located near the intersection of Southwest 34th Street and Hull Road in the University of Florida Cultural Plaza in Gainesville. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, including ticket prices, directions and parking information, call (352) 846-2000, or visit the museum online, www.flmnh.ufl.edu.