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< Back All About Eclipses Learn about solar and lunar eclipses! Eclipses occur when the Earth and Moon cast shadows on one another. Although the Moon orbits the Earth every 27 days, its orbit is tilted by about 5 degrees. Because of this, the shadows of the Earth and Moon usually miss each other entirely. Eclipses are only possible on occasion when the Sun, Moon, and Earth come into close alignment. Lunar eclipses occur when the Earth casts its shadow on the Moon. This can only happen when the Moon is full. Because the Earth is larger than the Moon, its shadow can completely cover the Moon’s disk. As the Moon passes into the Earth’s shadow, it becomes dark and turns deep shades of red and orange due to sunlight being refracted through Earth’s atmosphere. Because of this color, total lunar eclipses are sometimes referred to as a “Blood Moon”. During totality, the surrounding stars appear brighter as the moon darkens for several hours. There are three types of lunar eclipses: Total Lunar Eclipse: The darkest part of Earth’s shadow (umbra) completely covers the Moon. Partial Lunar Eclipse: The umbra covers a portion of the Moon’s disk. Penumbral Lunar Eclipse: The soft edge of the Earth’s shadow (penumbra) covers a portion of the Moon’s disk. This results in a slight dimming that is barely noticeable. Everyone on the nighttime side of the Earth can see a lunar eclipse, making them quite common and easy to view. Lunar eclipses can safely be viewed through binoculars and telescopes without protective filters. Photo by Elliot Severn Solar eclipses occur when the Moon casts its shadow on the Earth, blocking out all or a portion of the Sun in the sky. This can only happen when the Moon is new. Because the Moon is smaller than the Earth, solar eclipses are less common than lunar eclipses from any given location. There are three types of solar eclipses. Partial Solar Eclipse: The Moon covers a portion of the Sun’s disk in the sky. This must be viewed through protective filters. Partial eclipses are the most common. Annular Solar Eclipse: When viewed from specific locations on Earth, the Moon passes through the center of the Sun’s disk. The moon is too far from Earth to completely cover the Sun’s disk and a ring of sunlight surrounds the dark moon. This is known as a “ring of fire”. Protective filters must be used to view an annular eclipse. Total Solar Eclipse: From specific locations on Earth, the Moon completely covers the Sun’s disk for up to 7 minutes. The duration of totality depends on the distance of the Moon and the location of the observer. During totality, the sky darkens to a deep twilight color and the brightest stars and planets become visible. The sun’s corona (outer atmosphere) becomes visible surrounding the dark disk of the Moon. Flame-like eruptions of pink plasma called prominences are visible around the Moon’s edge. Before totality and after the Sun’s light returns, protective filters must be used. During totality, the eclipse is safe to view directly, without filters. Photo by Elliot Severn Protective filters are required to view a partial solar eclipse, an annular solar eclipse, and the partial phases at the beginning and end of a total solar eclipse. These can be purchased in the form of carboard or plastic solar glasses and solar filters for telescopes, binoculars, and camera lenses. Solar filters must completely cover the front of binoculars, telescopes, or camera lenses. Protective film material is also available to make custom solar filters. Pinhole eclipse viewers can also be made to project small images of the crescent sun. Another option is eyepiece projection from an unfiltered telescope. While it works, this method can generate intense heat that could damage your telescope. After the two Great American Eclipses of 2017 and 2024, the next total solar eclipse won’t cross the United States until 2045. For upcoming lunar eclipses and partial solar eclipses visible from Connecticut, click here . To see where total solar eclipses will be visible in the next decade, click here . Previous Next

< Back Climate Risk Mapping Tool Free risk mapping tool to help Connecticut residents make informed decisions about their insurance needs. The Connecticut Insurance Department, in collaboration with First Street , the leading provider of physical climate risk analytics, is providing this free risk mapping tool to help Connecticut residents make informed decisions about their insurance needs. You can access the tool here: Free Climate Risk Mapping Tool Previous Next

Our Partnership with Sacred Heart University A Mutually Beneficial Partnership Sacred Heart University President, John J. Petillo said it best himself: "Sacred Heart University gives back to the community where it resides." The Sacred Heart University Discovery Science Center & Planetarium (DSCP) is one of the University's latest community outreach efforts. The University has assisted in the modernization and enhancement of exhibits to offer state-of-the-art, interactive and educational exhibits and programs in science and technology. The relationship between the University and the DSCP is mutually beneficial. The DSCP will serve as a hub for professional development opportunities for the region’s STEAM and computer science education communities. There is opportunity for internships for students in education, marketing, media, management, communications, graphic design and more. It will also give faculty an opportunity to develop exhibits for SHU classes and the public.

Meet Our Team Leadership Board of Trustees Robert A. Panza Chair, Board of Trustees Michael L. Iannazzi Co-Chair, Board of Trustees Mary Servino Vice Chair, Board of Trustees David Zieff Treasurer, Board of Trustees Jaime Moss Dr. Jani Pallis Peter Ward Ani Chaghatzbanian Todd J. Michalka, CPA Melinda Formica, CFRE Reginald H. White, MBA Vance Hancock Secretary, Board of Trustees Legacy Trustees Jeffrey M. Clair Mellie Cooper Martha B. Gesswein June Getraer Guy Hatfield Bruce A. Hubler Edward Lahey Pat Matteson Alice V. Meyer Patrick J. Regan Mrs. John Stokes James Tice William Wallace Upcoming Board Meetings Wednesday, September 13th

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Get Involved! Thank you for your interest in supporting Discovery! Here are a few of our current areas of greatest need. Treasured Pages Lords and Ladies! Let it be known--STEAM learning needs a lot of support to make the magic happen. Take up the sword and fight for our mission with your sponsorship of Treasured Pages: A Classic Fairytale Ball on October 24, 2025. Download and contact development@shudiscovery.org to start your quest for STEAM education today! Sponsor Opportunities

Support Discovery Your Investment Helps Us Take STEAM to New Heights! When you give to Discovery, you bring STEAM activities to more young people here at the Science Center, inspiring wonder, igniting creativity, and building the foundation for a lifelong love of learning. As we evolve and grow, further advancement will only be possible with your input and support. Please invest today, and help us continue our evolution as the region’s go-to resource for STEAM learning fun. The Discovery Museum, Inc. is a charitable tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law. EIN #06-0740527. Did you know that many employers will match your charitable contributions? Ask your organization to support STEAM for all by matching your gift today! Make a difference Change starts with people like you. Your donation helps make a real impact, one action at a time. Together, we can do more. Frequency One time One time Monthly Monthly Yearly Yearly Amount $50 $50 $100 $100 $200 $200 $500 $500 Other Other 0/100 Comment (optional) Donate $50

Now Open! < Back Nesting With Dinosaurs Previous Next Cover Art Credit: Pecking Order by Luis V. Rey On Display from Late September 2025 – March 2026 Take a rare and exciting look at the life of dinosaurs through their eggs, nests and embryos in Nesting With Dinosaurs: Eggs Past and Present. This remarkable hands-on exhibition offers an astounding array of authentic dinosaur eggs and nests collected from all over the globe – including those of each of the major plant and meat-eating dinosaur groups. A captivating experience for all ages, Nesting with Dinosaurs presents new discoveries about dinosaur reproduction and behavior and introduces some of the fascinating people and science behind these discoveries. You and your family can touch real dinosaur bones and reconstructed nests, dig for eggs, experience hands-on exploration stations and view live animals, each with their own unique nesting behaviors. Each science-rich section is enhanced with exciting life-like models of embryos and hatchlings, colorful illustrations of dinosaur family life and stunning photographs of some of the world’s most renowned dinosaur hunters and their discoveries. The amazing collection of real fossils on view includes an authentic bowling ball-sized egg of a sauropod from Argentina – laid by a long-necked plant-eating titanosaur that lived 75 million years ago; a large cluster of eggs laid by a duck-billed, plant-eating dinosaur, and the longest dinosaur eggs ever discovered – almost 18 inches long – laid by a new giant species of oviraptor, a carnivorous, ostrich-like dinosaur. Animal enclosures sponsored by Zilla

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e2410138-e819-47b7-acb7-a85a1b086c84 < Exhibits Science in Motion You and your family can learn about the 3 Laws of Motion and the forces that affect how we move and play! In this gallery, guests and play their way through diffrent physics-based concepts that highlight the everyday forces of motion. How does gravity and friction affect your balance on our mini Adventure Park? Can you find the right angle of reflection to sink a basketball hoop? How does mass affect the speed of a racecar down a track? You'll have to play to find out! Previous Next

About Us Finding Inspiration in Every Turn Educational Programming Request Please note: This is not your booking. This is the first step in the process. A staff member will be in touch to finalize your booking. Your booking is not considered finalized until you receive our contract and finalizing documents. Contact Information First name* Last name* Email* Best Phone Number* What type of group are you booking for?* School Group Youth Group Adult or Senior Group Other Name of Organization, Group, or School* Your Title Organization, Group, or School Address Multi-line address Country/Region* Address* Address - line 2 City* Zip / Postal code* Will you be attending this field trip as the group leader?* Yes No Is your group from a non-profit? Yes No Is your school a Title I school? Yes No Attendance Details 1st choice date for program(s)* 2nd choice date for program(s)* Preferred arrival time* Time : Hours Minutes AM Preferred departure time* Time : Hours Minutes AM Please indicated the age or grade range of your group:* How many children are you expecting to attend?* How many teacher/chaperones are you expecting to attend?* How many one-on-one aides, paras, or caregivers are you expecting to attend? Any special considerations or requests? Please include any allergies, accessibility or language needs, etc.* Program Details Location for your program(s)?* Onsite at Discovery Traveling to your site Would you like time in our exhibits? Yes No Would you like to view a planetarium show? Pre-recorded show Live show No Would you like to watch a live science demonstration? Yes No Would you like to schedule a learning lab or Challenger Mission? Yes No Is your field trip being funded by a grant? Yes No Will you be eating your lunch during your field trip?* Yes, our group would like to use your lunchroom No, we will not be eating lunch during our trip Would you like to visit our gift shop? Time for the gift shop MUST be reserved ahead of time.* Yes No Media Release I give permission for my students to be photographed or videotaped during the Program. I understand that any pictures may be used in literature advertising the programming at the Discovery Science Center.* Yes, I give consent for my students to be photographed or recorded. No, I do not consent for my students to be photographed or recorded. Discovery Guest Questionnaire Are you a returning client?* Yes No Are you a member at Discovery Science Center?* Yes No I would like to discuss membership options & benefits How did you hear about us? Submit This is your About Page. This space is a great opportunity to give a full background on who you are, what you do and what your website has to offer. Double click on the text box to start editing your content and make sure to add all the relevant details you want site visitors to know. SCOUT REQUEST TEST Scout Programs Thank you for your interest in Scout programs at Discovery! Our standard programs run for 90 minutes. Standard badge programs are $18/child ($9/adult). Programs that include a live planetarium show are $20/child. Custom programs start at $20/child. There is a minimum of 8 children and 2 adults required to book a program. Our programs cover some, but not all, of the requirements for a specific badge. We always include a Discovery fun patch! First name* Last name* Email* Phone* Multi-line address Country/Region* Address* City* Zip / Postal code* Grade of Students* K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 High School Select all that apply. Which type of Scout program would you like to book?* Next Meet The Team Don Francis Founder & CEO Ashley Jones Tech Lead Tess Brown Office Manager Lisa Rose Product Manager Kevin Nye HR Lead Alex Young Customer Support Lead Our Clients

Vacation Days Check back this fall for all of our drop-off opportunities!