Blog Post

Solar Eclipse 2017

Solar Eclipse 2017

Update 8/10/2017

Are you planning to view the total solar eclipse from Land Between the Lakes? If so, read more about how you can come prepared to have a safe and enjoyable viewing experience.

Great American Eclipse 2017 Questions and Answers

Update 7/28/2017

We have updated the best viewing locations list across Land Between the Lakes. The chart now shows where the closest drinking water is to the viewing location. Check it out!

Best 2017 Eclipse Viewing Areas

Update 7/25/2017

The Elk & Bison Prairie will open at 3pm on eclipse day. Here’s why…

Expected crowds delay opening of Elk and Bison Prairie on eclipse day

Update 7/21/2017

Learn what to expect for the total solar eclipse on August 21!

Total Solar Eclipse: What to expect on August 21, 2017?

Update 6/7/2017

Get ready for an unforgettable show, courtesy of the earth, moon and sun–A total solar eclipse!

Visit our Homeplace 1850s Working Farm, Golden Pond Planetarium, and Woodlands Nature Station the week leading up to the total solar eclipse on Monday, August 21 for eclipse themed programs.

Learn what an eclipse is, how animals adapt during day and night, and legends and tales from the past.

Check each program for exact time and dates.


Golden Pond Planetarium

Family Fun Days | Sat, Aug 19-Sun, Aug 20 | 10am-4pm

Enjoy a weekend of family fun activities involving our sun. Make a sun dial, paint sun catchers, learn about eye safety, make a UV bracelet or go on a scavenger hunt. Free

TOTALITY Planetarium Show | Aug 16-23 | 11am and 2pm

From lunar to total solar eclipses TOTALITY explains how eclipses occur and what to expect. $5 adults | $3 children

“Mystery” Solar Show | Wed, Aug 16-Mon, Aug 25 | 12 and 4pm

Enjoy a special, two-week engagement of a brand new mystery total eclipse program in addition to TOTALITY. Enjoy these shows on a state-of-the-art, Ultra-High-Definition Sigma Projector. You have to see it to believe it! $5 adults | $3 children

Pink Floyd Laser Extravaganza | $7 all seats | Fri, Aug 18-Sat, Aug 19 | 5:30pm and 7pm

The sights and sounds of our vibrant laser shows will provide the perfect evening entertainment to compliment the solar eclipse. We see the “dark side of the moon” during the solar eclipse, so what better way to celebrate this event than with Pink Floyd’s classic “Dark Side of the Moon”?

Special Eclipse Star Party | Sat, Aug 19 | Starting at Dark 8:45pm

Join the West Kentucky Amateur Astronomers (WKAA) club as they enjoy a dark night under the stars with their telescopes. Weather Dependent

Solar Viewing | Sun, Aug 20 and Mon, Aug 21 | 10am-4pm

Safely observe the Sun through telescopes with special solar filters with the WKAA. Weather Dependent


Homeplace 1850s Working Farm

Life by the Sun, Moon and Stars | Weekdays | 2-3pm

Farm families looked for signs from celestial bodies as guides for everyday life on an 1850 farm. Have a seat and learn about ancient folk beliefs used for everything from planting crops to getting a haircut. Learn about a different topic each day!

Storytelling Evening at the Homeplace | Sat, Aug 19 | 6-7:30pm

As the summer day ends and the work is done, gather around the old maple tree and listen to ancient tales of a time long ago. Savor the taste of cold watermelon as a storyteller weaves tales of the sun, moon, stars and eclipses of a time gone by. $5 adults | $3 children | Doors open at 5:30pm

Sun and Moon Watermelon Social | Mon, Aug 21 | 11:30am-12:30pm

View the total solar eclipse at the Homeplace. Join us for a traditional picnic – bring your own picnic lunch and we’ll provide watermelon, games and stories of solar eclipses of the past.


Nature Station

Daytime vs Nighttime Animals | Weekdays | 11:30am

Learn how their everyday lives are influenced by the moon and sun.

Mornings with the Hummingbirds | Thurs, Aug. 17 and Tues, Aug. 22 | 10-11am

Relax in our backyard while naturalists present amazing facts about these little birds as they fly around their feeders. Bring your camera!

Sunset Canoe Trips | Fri, Aug 18 and Wed, Aug 23 | 5:30-8pm | $25 per canoe

Join us for a relaxed paddle as we explore the nooks and crannies of one of Lake Barkley’s scenic bays. Reservation and full deposit required. 270.924.2020 | Daytime Nature Station admission not included | Space is limited

Hummingbird Cafe | Sat, Aug 19 | 9-10am

Join us for coffee, juice and breakfast pastries while the hummingbirds have a feeding frenzy of their own! Plus, learn about “bird-friendly coffee” and how it benefits migratory birds. Reservation and full deposit required. 270.924.2020 | $10 per person includes same day NS admission

Snakes of Land Between the Lakes | Sun, Aug 20 | 11:30am-12:30pm

Learn to identify common snakes and why each of the species reacts to the sun and moon. Includes feeding time with the snakes at Nature Station.


Update 5/15/2017

solar eclipse poster 2017
Great activities planned the week before the total solar eclipse on Monday, August 21

Special Event | Total Solar Eclipse | August 21, 2017


Update 12/12/2016

Best Eclipse Viewing Areas

Here is a chart of all the best viewing areas across Land Between the Lakes. Pick your spot!

https://landbetweenthelakes.us/best-2017-eclipse-viewing-areas/


11/29/2016

Save the date! Monday, August 21, 2017

Total solar eclipse
Total solar eclipse will occur Monday, August 21, 2017. Photo by NASA

Dear friends,

In 2017 we will be witness to one of the great wonders of nature – a total solar eclipse.

On August 21, 2017 the moon will pass between the earth and sun causing this phenomenon to occur around 1:23 pm for our region. According to NASA:

  • Shadow bands are often seen on the ground as totality approaches.
  • Light filtering through leaves on trees casts crescent shadows as totality approaches.
  • Local animals and birds often prepare for sleep or behave confusedly during totality.
  • Local temperatures can drop as much as 20 degrees during a total solar eclipse.

We invite you to join us for the 2017 Solar Eclipse.

The greatest duration of the eclipse will occur around 20 miles from us and pass directly over our northern tip.

The entire region will be hosting celebrations and showcasing our culture that people come from all over the world to experience.

We encourage you to come visit for the week and see what the region has to offer.

Kentucky Tourism 2017 Eclipse | http://www.kentuckytourism.com/eclipse/ 


Sun and Moon Days throughout Land Between the Lakes

Eclipse Programming August 16-23, 2017

Normal entrance fees apply. Check out our rates and hours at https://landbetweenthelakes.us/visit/rates-hours/.

How a solar eclipse happens
This is what happens during a solar eclipse. Photo provided by timeanddate.com

Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory

In addition to our regular schedule of outstanding planetarium shows, we are working on several special presentations for the week of August 16 through 22, 2017 to highlight the Solar Eclipse.

We will also be presenting Laser Light and Music shows on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

Saturday, August 19

Join us for a Star Party! View an evening show in our planetarium, located in the Golden Pond Visitor Center, followed by night sky observation at the Golden Pond Observatory. An outstanding group of volunteers from the West Kentucky Amateur Astronomers club will be assisting us with this party and have multiple telescopes for viewing objects in the night sky.

Monday, August 21

The big day! Land between the Lakes will provide one of the best views of the total solar eclipse. Be sure to come by and enjoy one of our shows while you are here to view the eclipse!

Wear special glasses to protect your eyes when viewing the solar eclipse
Use protective glasses to view the solar eclipse. A must for eye safety. Photo provided by Great American Eclipse

Nature Station

Daily Programs

Weekdays

11:30am | Come learn about daytime animals versus nighttime animals as we explore different ways of approaching life. What adjustments have their bodies made to adapt to their night or day environment. Our rescued animals will be the star of this daily show.

1:30pm | Learn about the endangered Red Wolf and what endangered actually means. For their appearance, we will be feeding them to see them come out of their den. Wolves are shy.

3:30pm | Each weekday we will feature one of our rescued animals to highlight their lives in our Creature Feature program. You will learn about what they eat, how they live, and who their friends are. Check out this find time with native animals.

Every Day

4:30pm | If you like birds, join us for our Parade of Raptors. Each night as we move our owls and red tailed hawk for the night, we entertain our guests while teaching you about birds. You will also learn why these birds cannot live in the wild. It’s also a great opportunity to take come photos.

Map of United States showing path of totality of solar eclipse
Path of totality for August 21, 2017 solar eclipse. Photo provided by Great American Eclipse

Mornings with the Hummingbirds

10-11am Thursday, August 17 and Tuesday, August 22

Bring your camera. These little birds love stopping over at the Nature Station to feast from our feeders. You will enjoy relaxing in our back yard while our naturalists presents amazing facts about hummingbirds.

Sunset Canoe Trips

5:30-8pm Friday August 18 and Wednesday August 23

Join us for a relaxed paddle as we explore the nooks and crannies of one of Lake Barkley’s scenic bays. We will search the waters and shorelines for wildlife such as osprey, eagles, beavers, egrets, frogs, and songbirds. Enjoy a feast for the eyes and ears as the sun dips below the trees and nature’s evening chorus comes to life.

Reservation and full deposit required. Reserve your canoe by calling 270-924-2020. The cost of $25 per canoe does not include daytime Nature Station admission. We close at 5pm. Registration is limited.

Hummingbird Café

9-10am  Saturday August 19

Join us under the shade in our garden before we open to the public. Enjoy hot or iced coffee, juice, and breakfast pastries while the hummingbirds have a feeding frenzy of their own! Relax in our scenic wildflower gardens, chat with a naturalist about hummingbirds, and learn some new tips on attracting these birds to your own yard. Plus, learn about “bird friendly coffee” and how it helps migratory birds like hummingbirds in their winter homes

$10 per person, includes same day NS admission. Reservation and full deposit required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space.

Snakes of Land Between the Lakes

11:30-12 Sunday August 20

Learn to identify common snakes and why each of the species is active around the sun and moon.  Includes feeding time with the snakes at Nature Station.

Solar eclipse map of totality across western Kentucky
Solar eclipse path of totality across western Kentucky, Monday, August 21, 2017. Photo provided by Great American Eclipse

Homeplace 1850s Working Farm and Living History Museum

Wednesday, August 16 to Wednesday, August 23 (Daily)

Life by the Sun, Moon and Stars

2- 3 pm Wednesday, August 16 to Wednesday, August 23 (Daily)

Guided by the sun, moon, and stars, farm families looked for the signs from these celestial bodies as guides for everyday life on an 1850 farm. Have a seat in the cool breezeway and learn about these ancient folk beliefs that were used for everything from planting crops to getting a haircut. Every day a different fascinating topic. Are they true? Stop by and you decide.

Storytelling Evening at the Homeplace

6- 7:30pm Saturday, August 19

$5 adults, $3 children. Doors open at 5:30pm

As the summer day ends and the work is done for the day, gather around the old maple tree and listen to ancient tales of a time long ago. Savor the taste of cold water melon as the storyteller weaves tales of the sun, moon, and stars and eclipses of the past.

Sun and Moon Watermelon Social

10am-4pm Monday, August 21

Enjoy a unique viewing experience of the solar eclipse at the Homeplace 1850s Farm. Join us for a traditional picnic, you bring your picnic lunch and we will provide watermelon, games and stories of solar eclipses of the past. Then let’s view the historic event together! Grab your journal and record your observations of the solar eclipse as it unfolds just like they did in the 1850s.


Camping Reservations are Open

Due to customer requests, we opened our reservations early. To reserve your camping spot, go to https://www.usedirect.com/CampLBL/.


Enjoy the show

We hope you will spend some time with us while you enjoy one of the greatest shows on earth.

See you soon,

Jeff Laird
Customer Service Department Manager
Outdoor Recreation and Environmental Education

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