The public is invited to MTSU Sunday night to view a special celestial event — a total eclipse of the moon.

The viewing, weather permitting, will take place starting at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, at the MTSU observatory near Wiser-Patten Science Hall. The event is free. The organized program will end at 10:30.

To find parking and the event location, a searchable campus map is available at http://tinyurl.com/MTSUParking2015-16.

Scientists are calling this astronomical phenomenon a rare “super blood moon” lunar eclipse, with the result being a full moon displaying a reddish hue.

Dr. Chuck Higgins

An eclipse occurs when an astronomical object (in this case, the moon) is temporarily obscured, either by passing into the shadow of another body (the sun) or by having another body pass between it and the viewer.

“It will be relaxed and fun if the weather cooperates,” said associate professor Chuck Higgins, who will lead the program.

The time sequence for the eclipse includes:

• 8:07 p.m. — Partial eclipse begins.

• 9:11 — Total eclipse begins.

• 9:47 — Mid-eclipse.

• 10:23 — Total eclipse ends.

• 11:27 — Partial eclipse ends.

The MTSU Department of Physics and Astronomy and the MTSU Astronomy Club sponsor the event.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)