The Prairie Enthusiasts Field Trip

The Prairie Enthusiasts Special Night Sky Event

Harvest Moon Eclipse at Schurch-Thomson Prairie

Sunday Evening, September 27 -  

5:00 pm Reception, 6;30 Moon Rise, 9:00 Eclipse

Come view the Rising of the Harvest Moon and Lunar Eclipse over the Mounds View Grasslands! The total lunar eclipse of the September Full Moon is visible here in Wisconsin (next one is not until January 2019)! Moon will rise just before 6:45 pm when the sun begins to set. The first penumbral stage of the eclipse begins at 7:11 pm. The moon will be fully eclipsed from 9:11 to 10:23 pm - this is known as a Blood Moon because the moon glows red during the full eclipse.

This year's Harvest Moon is also a "Super Moon" which occurs when the full moon is closest to the Earth. This golden moon will be huge coming up over the horizon! Given a clear - or even partly cloudy - night, it will be a spectacular sight!

Join us for a reception in the barn prior to settling in for sky watching. Best viewing site is about 1/4 mile walk up to ridge top. Bring lawn chairs or blanket and pillow.

For questions or to confirm if the event is still on, call 608-239-4699.

Directions:  From the intersection of US Hwy 18-151 and County F (south of Blue Mounds in western Dane County), take F approximately 5 miles south. Turn right onto Reilly Road, and proceed to parking lot and kiosks at the end of the road (past the Schurch-Thomson barn). (Note: A half mile down F from 18-151, pay close attention to the road signs, for F turns to the right & the straight ahead road becomes County Z.  Stay on F.) Map app: Enter “Reilly Rd, Barneveld, WI”